repress

[ ri-pres ]
/ rɪˈprɛs /

verb (used with object)

to keep under control, check, or suppress (desires, feelings, actions, tears, etc.).
to keep down or suppress (anything objectionable).
to put down or quell (sedition, disorder, etc.).
to reduce (persons) to subjection.
Psychoanalysis. to reject (painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses) from the conscious mind.

verb (used without object)

to initiate or undergo repression.

Origin of repress

1325–75; Middle English repressen < Latin repressus (past participle of reprimere), equivalent to re- re- + pressus, past participle of primere to press1

synonym study for repress

1. See check1.

OTHER WORDS FROM repress

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH repress

oppress repress

Definition for repress (2 of 2)

re-press
[ ree-pres ]
/ ˈriˈprɛs /

verb (used with or without object)

to press again or anew.

Origin of re-press

First recorded in 1870–75; re- + press1

Example sentences from the Web for repress

British Dictionary definitions for repress

repress
/ (rɪˈprɛs) /

verb (tr)

to keep (feelings, etc) under control; suppress or restrain to repress a desire
to put into a state of subjugation to repress a people
psychoanal to banish (thoughts and impulses that conflict with conventional standards of conduct) from one's conscious mind

Derived forms of repress

represser, noun repressible, adjective

Word Origin for repress

C14: from Latin reprimere to press back, from re- + premere to press 1

Medical definitions for repress

repress
[ rĭ-prĕs ]

v.

To hold back by an act of volition.
To exclude something from the conscious mind.