Synonyms of repressing

repressing

verb

present participle of repress

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

• suppressing
• quelling
• subduing
• silencing
• crushing
• quashing
• squashing
• stifling
• destroying
• sitting on
• extinguishing
• overcoming
• squelching
• cracking down (on)
• clamping down (on)
• slapping down
• quenching
• putting down
• demolishing
• throttling
• snuffing (out)
• wrecking
• strangling
• obliterating
• ruining
• smothering
• wasting
• exterminating
• decimating
• annihilating
• dominating
• dousing
• subjugating
• conquering
• smashing
• devastating
• wiping out
• vanquishing
• putting out
• overpowering
• nuking
• desolating
• overwhelming
• rubbing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supporting
• assisting
• helping
• aiding
• abetting
• backing
• stirring
• provoking
• inciting
• promoting
• cultivating
• encouraging
• fostering
• advancing
• whipping (up)
• furthering
• fomenting
• propping up
• instigating
• forwarding
• nurturing
• nourishing

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

• suppressing
• stifling
• swallowing
• controlling
• strangling
• smothering
• choking (back)
• managing
• containing
• holding back
• submerging
• pocketing
• sinking
• curbing
• governing
• quelling
• quashing
• checking
• bridling
• squelching
• muffling
• bottling up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expressing
• releasing
• venting
• taking out
• unleashing
• loosing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of repressing

Egyptian authorities alternated over the decades between tolerating and repressing the group, which was permitted to field candidates in elections for brief periods. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

When elites are strong, dictators need to accommodate them, often by repressing outsiders to shield insiders from potential challenges. — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Normally, this modifier gene suppresses the creation of a second kind of hemoglobin, typically made only during fetal development; repressing the gene prompts cells to start making the fetal form of hemoglobin again, which acts as a backup. — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

People who were explored through an untraditional lens, or people living on the margins … who are repressing, hiding. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026

The Murillo-Ortega dictatorship has been accused of repressing the Nicaraguan people — especially Catholic and LGBTQ citizens. — Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

The White House imposed sanctions on Larijani in January for his role in repressing nationwide protests in the country, which saw thousands killed in the violent government crackdown, rights group say. — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026

After surviving a 1981 assassination attempt that paralyzed his right hand, Khamenei served as Iran’s president, brutally repressing dissent. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026

Learning how to regulate emotion without repressing passion and unlearning defensiveness when feedback lands. — Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026