as in muted
not excessively showy
a 19th-century church in the repressed style favored by the strict religious sect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in suppressed
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifled
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
you can't repress your feelings forever, so tell her how you feel about her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of repressed
Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Also, give your shadow self a hug and tend to the repressed parts of your heart and nature.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 18 Sep. 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Judd and Warhol are so clean and repressed by comparison.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Adjective
Though beloved by many straight men for the wrong reasons, the central character in American Psycho — a movie directed by a woman, written by a woman, and based on a novel written by a gay man — has always been paradigmatic of repressed same-sex desire.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Also, give your shadow self a hug and tend to the repressed parts of your heart and nature.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
There are so many things that are being repressed here, and when Vivian brings them up her mother reacts poorly.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Judd and Warhol are so clean and repressed by comparison.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed
Adjective
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That snare sound is as instantly identifiable as Miles Davis’s muted horn or Eddie Van Halen’s pyrotechnic neck tapping.—
John Lingan,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
-
With an understated mix of blue and yellow tones that provide warmth but still feel muted.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fresh evidence of how internal dissent was suppressed for the sake of diplomatic relationships exposes a broader crisis of impunity for crimes committed against journalists, and the failure of states to hold other states accountable.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This may have resulted in cooling that had until now suppressed the sublimation of water ice to steam.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Between hugs and stifled tears, players walked up to sift through them.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
While some dreams are realized, others are stifled or pushed aside altogether.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That doesn’t explain the physical dominance that feels more restrained these days.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Using restrained color palettes, natural materials, and touches of drama, Lind and her team at her eponymous firm bring out their clients’ unique personal styles to create homes perfectly suited to their lives.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
None of the measures have quelled the public outcry.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Tiger defense quelled a red-hot Commodore offense for most of the game, and on the other side, Mizzou made a pair of trips to the red zone.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some disappeared from the city and were swallowed up in the Yeoman hinterland.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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And businesses that have so far swallowed the tariffs without raising prices may not be able to for much longer.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While Nash-Betts wore a plunging electric blue gown with a mermaid silhouette, Betts coordinated in a snakeskin trenchcoat with a more subdued shade of blue.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Fernandez decorated the home’s interiors with a warm, subdued palette to give the place a serene family-friendly vibe.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Chicago Bears were relatively quiet ahead of the NFL trade deadline.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Hotel Fasano São Paulo Itaim Consistently top-notch, from the beds to the dining, Hotel Fasano exudes quiet luxury.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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