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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repress
But last year’s campus demonstrations were almost everywhere repressed by the police, and the fact that a majority of Americans supported putting conditions on military aid to Israel found no reflection in either party’s platform.
—
Ben Ehrenreich, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
But this doesn’t necessarily mean the memory has been repressed.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
Lincoln plays John, repressed and raging at his stay-at-home life who moves his family to rural idyll Coldwater.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
The level of violence used to repress street protesters put the focus on Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and her tactics.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repress
Ben Ehrenreich, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
But this doesn’t necessarily mean the memory has been repressed.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
Lincoln plays John, repressed and raging at his stay-at-home life who moves his family to rural idyll Coldwater.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
The level of violence used to repress street protesters put the focus on Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and her tactics.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repress
Verb
-
Orwell authored 1984, a bleak vision of the future where an authoritarian regime weaponizes language to suppress independent thought and rewrite history.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
However, consistent, long-term stress can wear down your immune system, exposing you to inflammation and suppressing your body's response to infections.2 UTIs occur when the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is infected.—
Brittany Dube,
Health,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Ventura described Combs’ psychological and physical abuse as ultimately demolishing her sense of self, stifling her career, and leading her to contemplate suicide.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
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That could stifle advocacy, research, and direct services in reproductive health, refugee resettlement, environmental justice, or racial equity.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
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It’s also infused with aloe and calendula extracts, which are soothing to skin and help quell redness.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
15 May 2025
-
Several protesters were injured, some of them critically, by Flash-balls fired by riot police, or by cops sent out to quell demonstrations that were growing increasingly unwieldy.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
To maximize fluoride’s effect, keep them in the mouth for 1-2 minutes before swallowing.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
14 May 2025
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The tariffs are a tough pill to swallow for an industry that, in general, warmly embraced President Trump along the campaign trail.—
Colin Harper,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Officers used a taser on the man to try to subdue him, according to Cleverdon.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 May 2025
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One of the investigators fired non-lethal beanbag rounds at the man to try to subdue him, but Hampson fled.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repress. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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