repress

verb
UK: /rɪˈpres/
US: /rɪˈpres/

  1. To prevent someone from expressing feelings or desires.

    1. She tried to repress her anger at the situation.
    2. The dictator used brutal force to repress any dissent among the population.

  2. To restrain or subdue something; to keep something under control.

    1. I had to repress a yawn during the long meeting.
    2. The government is attempting to repress inflation through fiscal policy.

  3. To prevent something from developing or growing.

    1. The new laws repress free speech and assembly.
    2. The heavy taxes are designed to repress economic activity in the region.

Synonyms

suppress restrain subdue curb smother stifle

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "repress" in English means: To prevent someone from expressing feelings or desires., To restrain or subdue something; to keep something under control., To prevent something from developing or growing..

The phonetic transcription of "repress" is /rɪˈpres/ in British English and /rɪˈpres/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "repress": suppress, restrain, subdue, curb, smother, stifle.

Example usage of "repress": "She tried to repress her anger at the situation.". More examples on the page.