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.

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its target rate by 0.5 percentage points, with pent-up demand after three years of sluggish sales.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

But the country's teeth were in an appalling state after World War Two and pent-up demand was much greater than politicians anticipated.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Housing-related equities are also performing well and could see years of pent-up demand realized if financing conditions improve as substantially as I expect them to this year.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

Advocates gave a “know your rights” workshop and Amalfitano led a piñata bashing, what the store owner called “a communal form of catharsis,” encouraging students to let out pent-up emotions in a safe way.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Ahead of us, the caravan lurches out of the way, and the pent-up crowd surges forward.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir