pent-up

[pent-uhp] / ˈpɛntˈʌp /

ADJECTIVE

held within

Synonyms

STRONGEST

repressed stifled suppressed

WEAK

bottled-up bridled checked constrained curbed held in check held-back inhibited restrained restricted smothered

Antonyms

WEAK

public released

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There is this pent-up demand, but it’s been stopped and stalled by these volatile mortgage rates,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at real-estate brokerage Redfin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Should the departure continue, or even increase, experts say it’s still not likely L.A. will ever be overbuilt like some of its Rust Belt counterparts due to pent-up demand that has never quite been met.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

"There could be a pent-up demand," said Jelena Sokolova from investment research firm Morningstar.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Douglas says there is something about the "repetitive beat" and everyone "gathering to release some pent-up energy" which feels like a way to connect to our ancestral roots.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

It felt as if at any moment all that pent-up energy would burst from within and sweep everyone aside.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia