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
Trying to eliminate one side inevitably represses part of our own nature.
—
Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
The outlet noted that activists and independent journalists have said that reports of military losses have been repressed in Russian media.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Violent crime is also common, and the government violently represses journalists and dissidents.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repress
Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
The outlet noted that activists and independent journalists have said that reports of military losses have been repressed in Russian media.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Violent crime is also common, and the government violently represses journalists and dissidents.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repress
Verb
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In August 2025, a judge concluded that Vedam had not been given a fair trial due to prosecutors’ efforts to suppress evidence.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Democrats’ Biden-era goals of raising taxes on wealthy Americans and big companies to fund upgrades to health care, education, and clean energy were somewhat stifled by their 50-50 majority.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While acids like salicylic and gluconolactone resurface and clarify skin, botanicals like mugwort and cica (and many of its compounds, such as madecassoside and asiaticoside) work to quell redness, irritation, and inflammation, leaving behind calmer-looking skin with every cleanse.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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The case helped fuel a revolt across Wall Street, mostly since quelled, by junior talent tired of 120-hour weeks.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Leddy’s cap hit is likely too much for other teams to absorb in a trade, but a new deal with a smaller cap hit would be easier to swallow.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Those who prefer taking their supplements in liquid form to avoid swallowing pills will love that this comes in two refreshing flavors—lemon mint and cacao mint.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lighting throughout the camp is deliberately subdued, with warm-temperature luminaires and dim solar path lights that create minimal pollution and allow for maximum Milky Way views.—
Megan Eaves,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, the permacrisis in the economy, which endured despite Caracas’ introduction of a national crypto currency, the Petro, to bypass US sanctions, or the central bank’s removal of five zeros from the national currency, the Bolivar, to subdue hyperinflation.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repress. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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