1
as in to suppress
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
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
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Recent Examples of repress
Don’t repress your thoughts, but don’t react just to prove a point either.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
Even before the war began, hardship and inflation provoked nationwide protests that were brutally repressed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
The Murillo-Ortega dictatorship has been accused of repressing the Nicaraguan people — especially Catholic and LGBTQ citizens.
—Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repress
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
Even before the war began, hardship and inflation provoked nationwide protests that were brutally repressed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
The Murillo-Ortega dictatorship has been accused of repressing the Nicaraguan people — especially Catholic and LGBTQ citizens.
—Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repress
Verb
-
The program is a half-day, in-depth course to educate attendees on the principles used by firefighters in suppressing wildland fire and protecting structures in the Wildland Urban Interface, said workshop organizers.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
Rather than suppress his value, that could make Clarke and agent Randy Robitaille more inclined to hunker down in negotiations.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The knockout stage is where the stakes get higher and the pressure becomes stifling.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Deficient Integrity leads to scandals like match-fixing, while excessive rigidity can stifle adaptability.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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As part of a previous effort to quell the controversy, Osasuna released documents confirming its contract with Howden, and that LaLiga had been informed of the arrangement.—
Camila Grigera Naon,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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Police had to use a water cannon to quell the demonstrators.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Beneath what looks like solid snow can lie hidden pools of icy water capable of swallowing people, vehicles, and scientific equipment without warning.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
The other man stabbed in the neck complained that the wound, which required three stitches, affected his ability to swallow and eat, prosecutors said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Reactions were otherwise subdued during the film—a life-like, but glossy depiction of the Iranian regime that struggled to keep audience attention.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
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By 2015, both sisters had subdued their texture, rocking depleted waves in place.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repress. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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