1
as in suppressing
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 stifling
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
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Recent Examples of repressing
His name has been associated with police operations carried out in the context of protests, detentions, and crowd-control actions executed by the PNB, a force that since its creation has played a central role in repressing political dissent.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
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
This week is pushing you to speak up and stop repressing your truth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Critics, though, have argued that these efforts are serving to distract from the country’s record of repressing free speech and dissent, as well as human rights violations, which have been widely reported.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Sunny, for example, feels solidarity with his working-class immigrant neighbors in Queens while repressing the fact that his family funded his education with black money.
—Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
This is welcome news for a system plagued by various exogenous shocks — including COVID and related frothy valuations, high interest rates and the 2022 market correction, the US electoral cycle, and tariff uncertainty — that have resulted in wide bid-ask spreads repressing deal activity.
—Control Risks, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Hamas’s response fluctuated between allowing discontent and repressing the demonstrations.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Most of the international community rejects the idea that Ukraine is repressing Russian language and culture and says Russia launched its invasion under false pretenses.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
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
This week is pushing you to speak up and stop repressing your truth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Critics, though, have argued that these efforts are serving to distract from the country’s record of repressing free speech and dissent, as well as human rights violations, which have been widely reported.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Sunny, for example, feels solidarity with his working-class immigrant neighbors in Queens while repressing the fact that his family funded his education with black money.
—Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
This is welcome news for a system plagued by various exogenous shocks — including COVID and related frothy valuations, high interest rates and the 2022 market correction, the US electoral cycle, and tariff uncertainty — that have resulted in wide bid-ask spreads repressing deal activity.
—Control Risks, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Hamas’s response fluctuated between allowing discontent and repressing the demonstrations.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Most of the international community rejects the idea that Ukraine is repressing Russian language and culture and says Russia launched its invasion under false pretenses.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressing
Verb
-
Larry Ellison’s takeover of TikTok has led to claims by users that the app is suppressing pro-Palestine content.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats and voting-rights activists say the past and current moves are aimed at suppressing turnout of voters who don’t support the majority party.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Gophers shot 57% in the first half and their stifling defense that allowed only 44 points in a win at Oregon earlier in the week held Rutgers to 36% shooting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And, perhaps more importantly, the number of units sold increased 3%, quelling fears that price-conscious consumers are pulling back on toy purchases.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
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In a statement broadcast by state TV, a security force known for quelling unrest accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Check the tightness of your jewelry periodically (with clean hands) to prevent swallowing or choking if the jewelry becomes loose.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
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Those who prefer taking their supplements in liquid form to avoid swallowing pills will love that this comes in two refreshing flavors—lemon mint and cacao mint.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple officers were involved in subduing Guity and placing him in handcuffs, police said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
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As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressing. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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