What does repressed mean?
Repressed describes feelings, impulses, memories, or desires that are held back or prevented from developing openly. The word often suggests an internal pressure: a person may appear calm or controlled while anger, sadness, or ambition remains suppressed. It can also refer to something restrained in a wider social, political, or psychological sense. In ordinary usage, “repressed emotions” and “repressed memories” are common combinations. The term is sometimes confused with “depressed,” but repression specifically concerns inhibition or suppression, whereas depression primarily describes a state of low mood or hopelessness. As an inflected verb form, “repressed” can also describe the act of suppressing or restraining something, though the adjective sense is by far the more common.
Prevented from expressing or developing feelings, impulses, desires, or other responses; kept under suppression or restraint.
"The repressed teenager found it difficult to discuss her family with anyone."
Often used figuratively for emotions and personal expression; can also describe suppressed memories, material, or political expression.
Repressed is the third-person singular simple present and past participle of the verb repress.
"The report said that the agency repressed information about the pollution."
Used as an inflected form of repress; the meaning is determined by the sentence structure.
Repressed describes what happens when powerful feelings are held back rather than allowed to surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repressed come from?
The word comes through French from Latin repressus, the past participle of reprimere, meaning “to press back” or “to repress.” The Latin prefix re- means “back” or “again,” while premere means “to press.” English later developed the closely related forms “repress,” “repression,” and “repressive.” The Latin root also underlies “depress,” although that word developed a distinct meaning and history.
Related word forms
How repressed is actually used
The adjective is commonly used for emotions, memories, impulses, and desires. In clinical contexts, it may describe a pattern of emotional inhibition, but it should not be used as a diagnosis. As a verb form, its meaning depends on the surrounding sentence.
Easily confused with repressed
A repressed person is prevented from expressing or developing something, whereas a depressed person is experiencing a mood or state of deep sadness.