repressed; repressing; represses
1
2
a
: to hold in by self-control
repressed a laugh
b
: to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of
repressed her anger
3
: to exclude from consciousness
repressed the memory of abuse
4
: to inactivate (a gene or formation of a gene product) by allosteric combination at a DNA binding site
: to take repressive action
repressively
adverb
repressiveness
noun
re-pressed; re-pressing; re-presses
: to press again
re-press a record
Synonyms
Examples of repress in a Sentence
Verb (1)
Religious groups were severely repressed.
quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order
Recent Examples on the Web
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
But the reality today is that there are authoritarian powers that are repressing their own populations, bullying neighboring states, and wielding economic influence and military force in other ways that are antithetical to progressive values.
—Jonathan B. Petkun, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for repress 
Verb
In the words of Madonna, fellow Sun and Venus in Leo: 'Express yourself, don't repress yourself'
After swimming through Cancer's ocean of emotion, Venus makes a grand entrance in Leo on July 11, where the love planet takes the stage with confidence and flair.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
But the reality today is that there are authoritarian powers that are repressing their own populations, bullying neighboring states, and wielding economic influence and military force in other ways that are antithetical to progressive values.
—Jonathan B. Petkun, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Verb
Five years later, the album was re-pressed on vinyl.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for repress
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near repress
Cite this Entry
“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repress. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repress
verb
re·press
ri-ˈpres 
1
a
: to check by or as if by pressure
injustice was repressed
b
: to put down by force : subdue
2
a
: to hold in by self-control
repressed a laugh
b
: to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of
repress one's anger
3
: to shut out of consciousness
repressed a painful past
Medical Definition
repress
transitive verb
re·press
ri-ˈpres
1
: to exclude from consciousness
repress conflicts
2
: to inactivate (a gene or formation of a gene product) by allosteric combination at a DNA binding site
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