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
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Recent Examples of repressed
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition to this cabinet and council, our movement includes a network of civil society organizations, diaspora groups, independent media, education and legal services, and humanitarian aid providers that help the repressed and their families.
—Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could anyone find happiness when their spouse and job are selected for them, their preferences assiduously repressed, even their dress patterns and fabrics decided by committee?
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Adjective
The Basics of Philosophy focuses on a repressed philosophy professor (Huston) who has been grappling with lingering guilt over a decision from his past when the victim suddenly returns to his life.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition to this cabinet and council, our movement includes a network of civil society organizations, diaspora groups, independent media, education and legal services, and humanitarian aid providers that help the repressed and their families.
—Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Canvas City is set in a surprisingly rollerblade-first metropolis where creativity has been outlawed — art, music, and free expression have been repressed, but groups seek to fight back against the state, with more than a wink and a nod to the state of affairs around the world in 2025.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could anyone find happiness when their spouse and job are selected for them, their preferences assiduously repressed, even their dress patterns and fabrics decided by committee?
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed
Adjective
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That’s not the kind of hold that the mid-budget neo noir was depending on after a muted opening.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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The dresses, in muted shades ranging from pale pink to pearl gray, cream and black, contrast layers of vaporous tulle and organza with long ruffled skirts and collared capes in satin or taffeta edged with lace.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Defenders shot down or suppressed 112 drones, the air force said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
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Until the 1960s, members of this Indigenous minority were discouraged from reindeer herding, and the church and state suppressed their language and culture.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Detroit was stifled all night by the new look Packers defense with Micah Parsons in the fold, unable to generate the big plays that were a staple of the Detroit offense in past years when former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was calling the plays.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Watch The Incredibles films on Disney+ Luca Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) are sea monsters who feel stifled in the water.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Classical minimalism, meant to evoke modest virtue and restrained power, is a good style for a democratic state.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
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The sizable rooms offer a restrained elegance, with white marble bathrooms, mid-century modern furniture, and black-and-white photos of striking architecture on the walls.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The excitement following a superb victory at Manchester City was quelled somewhat by a home defeat to Bournemouth, but optimism endures that Frank’s side can clinch a top-five spot.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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But that hasn’t quelled interest from surrounding communities to be the franchise’s next home.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Memories from Louisiana In Plaquemines Parish, seven-year-old Corrine English lost nearly everything when the small fishing town of Buras was swallowed by floodwaters.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The wind howled, rattling metal signs and tugging at our clothes as the dust swallowed everything in sight.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The visual design of the new BMW iX3 harks back to the original Neue Klasse at the front, with a more subdued grille than recent models.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Prior to that, the castle had a more classical look, with creams and grays and blue accents that were more subdued than the current shades in use.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On highways and surface roads in the rural countryside west of Detroit, the 2025 Ford Explorer was smooth and quiet, with plenty of power for highway acceleration.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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