repress

1 to put a stop to (something) by the use of force quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order Synonyms clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, quell, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppressRelated Words douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench; smother, stifle, strangle, throttle; annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck; exterminate, obliterate, wipe out; conquer, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subdue, subjugate, vanquishNear Antonyms abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up); advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

2 to refrain from openly showing or uttering you can't repress your feelings forever, so tell her how you feel about her Synonyms choke (back), hold back, pocket, suppress, sink, smother, stifle, strangle, submerge, swallowRelated Words control, govern, manage; bridle, check, curb, quash, quell; bottle up, contain; muffle, squelchNear Antonyms express, loose, release, take out, unleash, vent