Pent-up - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT pent-up /ˈpɛn ˌtʌp/ IPA guide

If something's pent-up, it's restricted or held back in some way. You might appear calm and collected, but if you've secretly got a lot of pent-up anger, it will eventually need to be released. Boom!

Use the adjective pent-up when you're talking about repressed emotions or stifled feelings or impulses. You and your friend might attempt to remain solemn through a pompous speaker's terrible lecture, only to burst out with pent-up laughter as soon as the talk is over. Many people keep negative feelings (like sadness, anger, or frustration) pent-up when they're not comfortable revealing them.

Definitions of pent-up

adjective characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions “their reactions were partly the product of pent-up emotions” synonyms: repressed inhibited held back or restrained or prevented

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