repress

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​press ri-ˈpres How to pronounce repress (audio)
repressed; repressing; represses

transitive verb

1
a
: to check by or as if by pressure : curb
injustice was repressed
b
: to put down by force : subdue
repress a disturbance
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

intransitive verb

: to take repressive action
repressibility noun
repressible adjective
repressive adjective
repressively adverb
repressiveness noun

re-press

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-pressed; re-pressing; re-presses

transitive verb

: to press again
re-press a record

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Restraining, repressing or silencing political speech is contrary to First Amendment principles and is constitutionally acceptable only under the most limited circumstances: when the government has an authoritative and credible responsibility to protect citizens. Lynn Greenky, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024 Where Maddy runs headfirst, Owen represses what The Pink Opaque seems to be telling him. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
Five years later, the album was re-pressed on vinyl. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for repress 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French represser, from Latin repressus, past participle of reprimere to check, from re- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repress was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near repress

Cite this Entry

“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repress. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

repress

verb
re·​press ri-ˈpres How to pronounce repress (audio)
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
repressible adjective
repressive adjective

Medical Definition

repress

transitive verb
re·​press ri-ˈpres How to pronounce repress (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on repress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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