Synonyms for

Repressed

Verb / ri:ˈprest / Another word for repressed — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to hold back or restrain

Synonyms & similar words

quash muffle smother subdue strangle stifle pentup subjugate keepdown reduce suppress repress suppress stifle conceal restrain control muffle quell subdue smother withhold contain

Synonyms by register

Formal

suppressed inhibited restrained contained

Informal

bottled up held back kept in

Literary

subdued curbed

Antonyms

expressed released uninhibited open free unrestrained vocal

Common collocations

  • repressed emotions
  • repressed memories
  • repressed desires
  • repressed feelings
  • repressed anger
  • repressed sexuality
  • repressed personality

Word family

noun repression
verb repress
adjective repressed
adverb repressively

Usage note

Often used in psychology to describe the unconscious exclusion of undesirable feelings or memories. Can sometimes imply a negative judgment about someone's personality.

Example sentences

  1. He repressed his laughter during the serious meeting.
  2. She repressed her tears and put on a brave face.
  3. The government tried to repress the protests by force.
  4. He had to repress his urge to speak out of turn.
  5. She felt a strong desire to dance, but she repressed it.

Quotes

  • I can't repress the feeling that he's hiding something from me.
  • We must not repress freedom of speech and expression.
  • The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful. - Oscar Wilde

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