as in muted
not excessively showy
a 19th-century church in the repressed style favored by the strict religious sect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repressed
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Reforms often required strong executive power, largely at the expense of social stability and democratic legitimacy; protests against the IMF’s programs left scores dead as authorities repressed dissent.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Adjective
And, in the aftermath of a stomach-churning stick-up that twisted my guts with the queasy horror of a repressed memory, Gary is given a week to make the problem go away.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Dispatches Evening Read Cubans’ Despair By Gisela Salim-Peyer Cubans for decades have been buffeted by great powers, repressed by their own government, crushed by economic crises, and paraded as the victims of a succession of sanctions imposed by the White House.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Reforms often required strong executive power, largely at the expense of social stability and democratic legitimacy; protests against the IMF’s programs left scores dead as authorities repressed dissent.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed
Adjective
-
The abrupt end to her doubles foray at the HSBC Queen’s Club Championships was more muted.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
The array of feathers added pops of color to the dress, with muted, earthy tones like soft browns and golds and more featured throughout.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The couple is seeking $25 million in damages, claiming that because their team didn’t have the documents suppressed, they were convicted on every count.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 221 drones in its latest barrage, of which 195 drones were intercepted or otherwise suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Wilson felt stifled and forced a trade to Denver.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
The war has stifled the flow of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
When a court issues a domestic violence protective order, federal law prohibits the restrained person from possessing a gun.—
Sativa Banks,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Though America’s founders, of course, did not always live up to these ideals themselves, this early reform shows us that American justice was meant to be resolute, principled, and restrained.—
Ana Zamora,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But that has not quelled the far-right’s violence.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Observers of prediction markets widely agree that insider trading worries on the platforms have to be quelled to gain institutional attention.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Considering the associated thefts from libraries in this story, provenance—the history of the ownership of the item in question—may also get swallowed by all the hot money.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
8 June 2026
-
Andy was unfamiliar with the sports world and worried that his son would get swallowed up in it.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hotel Portsmouth’s rooms are bright and quirky, while the rooms at The Bow have a more serene and subdued ambience.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
-
After years dominated by the reliable little black dress and subdued minimalism, wedding guest attire is swinging loudly in the opposite direction.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Your generous heart brightens others, yet quiet courage today keeps your creative fire protected while old feelings move through safely.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The Cloudburst Jacket is a soft and quiet high-performance waterproof jacket for everything from everyday to endurance training and competition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
