Synonyms of represses

represses

verb

present tense third-person singular of repress

1

as in suppresses

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

• suppresses
• quells
• subdues
• stifles
• silences
• crushes
• destroys
• sits on
• squashes
• extinguishes
• quashes
• overcomes
• squelches
• snuffs (out)
• clamps down (on)
• quenches
• cracks down (on)
• slaps down
• demolishes
• puts down
• throttles
• strangles
• obliterates
• smothers
• dominates
• annihilates
• decimates
• subjugates
• exterminates
• conquers
• overwhelms
• smashes
• ruins
• overpowers
• devastates
• vanquishes
• wrecks
• douses
• wastes
• puts out
• wipes out
• desolates
• nukes
• rubs out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supports
• helps
• assists
• aids
• abets
• backs
• provokes
• incites
• stirs
• promotes
• instigates
• encourages
• fosters
• cultivates
• nourishes
• nurtures
• furthers
• foments
• advances
• whips (up)
• props up
• forwards

2

as in stifles

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

• stifles
• suppresses
• swallows
• smothers
• strangles
• contains
• submerges
• manages
• chokes (back)
• controls
• holds back
• pockets
• governs
• quells
• sinks
• curbs
• quashes
• checks
• muffles
• squelches
• bridles
• bottles up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expresses
• releases
• takes out
• unleashes
• looses
• vents

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of represses

Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity. — Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Trying to eliminate one side inevitably represses part of our own nature. — Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026

Violent crime is also common, and the government violently represses journalists and dissidents. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026

That timing hasn’t been lost on the festival’s critics, who say the high-profile American comics are lending legitimacy to a government that represses dissent, jails activists and restricts free speech. — Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025