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
Relevance
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
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 repress
Despite these differences, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is resorting to a familiar playbook for repressing protests, blending a passing acknowledgement of his system’s shortcomings with maximum deflection and defiance.
—
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
In time, however, the Venezuelan people may decide they don’t want to be governed by the remnants of Maduro’s corrupt regime, and the United States may be forced to choose between allowing that regime to repress the Venezuelan people or finding a way to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Others, known as microRNAs, alter or repress other RNAs, including those that would otherwise be translated into proteins; this discovery was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
Assad largely repressed and systematically excluded Syria’s Sunni Arab majority from the same preferential treatment.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repress
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
In time, however, the Venezuelan people may decide they don’t want to be governed by the remnants of Maduro’s corrupt regime, and the United States may be forced to choose between allowing that regime to repress the Venezuelan people or finding a way to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Others, known as microRNAs, alter or repress other RNAs, including those that would otherwise be translated into proteins; this discovery was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
Assad largely repressed and systematically excluded Syria’s Sunni Arab majority from the same preferential treatment.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repress
Verb
-
This led organically to feelings of love for one’s Black nannies and friendship with the children of your Black live-in maids, but this warmth had to be suppressed.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Is grief, guilt, or shame suppressing your willpower?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some might find this stifling or claustrophobic, but being forced to live together day by day may also stimulate openness and mutual respect.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But Bethel and Shah say some providers find health care to be over-regulated with requirements, paperwork and other documentation that can stifle the innovation needed to produce more creative solutions.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Police issued an update Wednesday to quell rumors about the circumstances of the accident.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Islamic Republic launched a security crackdown earlier this month to quell protests, leaving thousands dead.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For any deal to be signed into law, however, will require a give-and-take that Democrats might find difficult to swallow.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Among the untold thousands of children nationwide who have been swallowed up in ICE dragnets, six of them are students in the Columbia Heights school district.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Colleyville Heritage dumps Argyle in 2 OTs Colleyville Heritage got a hugh lay in by Sameer Johnson at the fourth quarter buzzer, off an assist by Dmauri Evans, to tie the game at 48 allowing the Panthers to subdue Argyle 57-51 in double overtime on Thursday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Nevertheless, the immediate market response to the recent earnings report was relatively subdued.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repress. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
