Word
repressed
Phoneticsre·pressed, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈpɹɛst/
UK/ɹɪpɹˈɛst/
Definition
adj. keeping your feelings or desires hidden and not allowing yourself to express them. It often describes someone who is unable to show their true emotions because of social pressure or past experiences.
adj. characterised by the suppression of impulses, emotions, or memories, particularly those that are socially unacceptable or psychologically painful. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'remain'.
Examples
“He is very repressed and never talks about his feelings.”
“The character in the novel is a repressed clerk who finally finds his voice after moving to a new city.”
“Psychologists argue that repressed memories can manifest as physical symptoms if the individual does not find a healthy outlet for their underlying emotional trauma.”
Examples
simple
“He is very repressed and never talks about his feelings.”
contextual
“The character in the novel is a repressed clerk who finally finds his voice after moving to a new city.”
complex
“Psychologists argue that repressed memories can manifest as physical symptoms if the individual does not find a healthy outlet for their underlying emotional trauma.”
Usage
Often functions as a participial adjective; frequently appears before nouns like 'emotions', 'desires', or 'memories'.
Real-World Examples
“The regime discriminated against and repressed the country’s black majority, while keeping white people safe and wealthy.” “The regime repressed the black majority, while keeping white people safe and wealthy.” Etymology
From repress + -ed.
From re- + pressed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/repressed