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
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 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, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Iran, where major protests in January were brutally repressed, has between 50% and 60% under 30.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Adjective
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
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, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Iran, where major protests in January were brutally repressed, has between 50% and 60% under 30.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed
Adjective
-
His trademark cool was sidelined by a more demonstrative style, closer to the theatrical sensibilities of 2Pac than the muted menace that once defined him.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
-
Breeding siblings The first step was to find a common bean plant with a muted In11 receptor.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
This step suppressed hydrogen bonding between water molecules, prevented freezing, and preserved its flexibility.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
His puck-moving play was completely suppressed in the offensive zone, too.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 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
-
Brith has swallowed her father’s ring.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Maddy began managing some of Alamo’s strippers, bringing her into the same underworld that had already swallowed Rue; Cassie moved into Lexi’s apartment complex, auditioned for a role on her show and slept with its heartthrob star.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 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
-
This is quiet luxury in hotel form.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
And yet art-world institutions—including major museums, schools, commercial galleries, and publishing outlets—have mostly avoided the fawning capitulation of universities and Democrats, simply going quiet in the hope of escaping notice for the next three years.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
