as in muted
not excessively showy
a 19th-century church in the repressed style favored by the strict religious sect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in suppressed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifled
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repressed
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition to this cabinet and council, our movement includes a network of civil society organizations, diaspora groups, independent media, education and legal services, and humanitarian aid providers that help the repressed and their families.
—Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could anyone find happiness when their spouse and job are selected for them, their preferences assiduously repressed, even their dress patterns and fabrics decided by committee?
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Adjective
The Basics of Philosophy focuses on a repressed philosophy professor (Huston) who has been grappling with lingering guilt over a decision from his past when the victim suddenly returns to his life.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition to this cabinet and council, our movement includes a network of civil society organizations, diaspora groups, independent media, education and legal services, and humanitarian aid providers that help the repressed and their families.
—Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Canvas City is set in a surprisingly rollerblade-first metropolis where creativity has been outlawed — art, music, and free expression have been repressed, but groups seek to fight back against the state, with more than a wink and a nod to the state of affairs around the world in 2025.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could anyone find happiness when their spouse and job are selected for them, their preferences assiduously repressed, even their dress patterns and fabrics decided by committee?
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed
Adjective
-
Analysts said the relatively muted stock reactions following less-than-stellar quarters in Tesla's core auto business suggest the investor base is focused on future initiatives like robotics and robotaxi expansion.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In 2019, when a missile and drone strike on Saudi oil facilities – widely blamed on Iran – knocked out half the kingdom’s oil output and sent crude prices skyrocketing, his administration responded with only muted condemnation.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 141 drones into the country, of which 132 were downed or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The upconversion process also suppressed noise, which made the setup effective even under very dim light.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The equity-grading scandal underscores a destructive phenomenon, which since the 1960s has increasingly stifled America’s can-do spirit with countless rules and regulations.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Woods Richardson, who allowed just two hits, outdueled Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, who completely stifled the Twins (66-84) the last time the two teams played.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Climate scientists have long been vexed by the disconnect between the dire warnings blared by their models and the restrained policies enacted by world leaders.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
There is nothing restrained about the family room, with brick walls that feature a bright splash of chartreuse (Benjamin Moore’s Wasabi, AF-430).—
Jeanne Lyons Davis,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Five people died and 140 police officers were injured before the insurrection was quelled.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Still, this hasn't quelled the anxieties of anyone with a professional or layman's interest in space science.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Getting swallowed by a tech giant expecting hockey-stick growth has proved untenable.—
Stefan Fatsis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In a sight that became more-than-familiar to Boise State fans, Jeanty seemed to be swallowed in the scrum at the line of scrimmage, before bursting out of the side and powering himself into the endzone.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Accompanied by husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales evoked subdued elegance for the somber affair.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The subdued nature of this wine is very inviting, and the varietal character is spot on without announcing itself.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This development marks a notable change in what has so far been a quiet peak period of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Bauhaus In Weimar Origins Weimar is quiet, deliberate.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share