Repress: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when you need to describe the act of holding back emotions, thoughts, or desires, particularly when this act is unconscious or automatic. It often carries a psychological connotation.

• She had to repress her feelings of anger during the meeting.
• Memories from his past were repressed and buried deep within his mind.

Use this word to explain preventing or hindering a process, action, or impulse, often in a way that implies a restriction on natural behavior or progress.

• Anxiety can inhibit someone's ability to speak in public.
• Certain medications can inhibit the growth of bacteria.

This term is appropriate when describing the act of forcibly putting an end to something, such as a rebellion, or stopping an emotion, truth, or reaction from being expressed or perceived.

• The government tried to suppress the uprising.
• He managed to suppress a smile when he heard the news.

This word is suitable when you want to describe hiding a physical object or information from others. It implies an intentional act to prevent something from being seen or discovered.

• He tried to conceal the gift before her birthday.
• The politician attempted to conceal the scandal from the public.

This word fits when talking about physically or figuratively holding something or someone back, often implying a degree of force or control. It can refer to controlling behavior or emotions as well.

• The security guards had to restrain the unruly fan.
• She was able to restrain her tears during the speech.

Used when talking about pushing down emotions or thoughts, keeping them from surfacing.

• He tried to repress his anger during the meeting.
• She had to repress her memories of the accident to move on with her life.

Implies maintaining command or regulation over something, including emotions, actions, or situations.

• She learned to control her anxiety before exams.
• The manager needs to control the project timeline.

Often used to describe a situation where a person or group is being treated cruelly or kept down by authority. This word has a negative connotation.

• The regime continued to oppress its people for decades.
• Throughout history, many governments have oppressed minority groups.

Can be used in a variety of contexts to mean stopping something from happening or coming out, often used with emotions, information, or movements.

• She had to suppress a smile during the serious meeting.
• The government tried to suppress the news about the scandal.

Typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate the act of rejecting or voiding something, such as a legal decision or rebellion.

• The court decided to quash the previous ruling.
• The government attempted to quash the uprising quickly.