# repress

/ɹiˈpɹɛs/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/repress
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

to stop yourself from showing a feeling or an emotion. It can also mean to use force to stop people from doing something or saying something.

For teachers: to suppress or inhibit an emotion, desire, or thought; to use force to prevent the expression of political or social dissent. Transitive — requires a direct object.

## Examples

- She tried to repress her anger during the meeting.
- The government used the new law to repress any public discussion about the upcoming election.
- Psychologists argue that while repressing negative memories might provide short-term relief, it often leads to long-term psychological distress and a lack of emotional clarity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.