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.

When the jury took just over two hours to reach a guilty verdict on the afternoon of 23 March, the pent-up emotion in Belfast's Court 13 was released.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

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

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Yet “Born to Kill” thrums with the pent-up energy of a guy who glimpsed the possibility that he might not sing again.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

In competitive markets in the Northeast and Midwest, agents say they still see pent-up demand from buyers who have been waiting for inventory to rise or prices to go down.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

He felt all the pent-up pressure inside the tank, and he put it to use.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan