Definitions

bottle up

VERB

hold in check

Synonyms

STRONGEST

repress suppress

WEAK

box up bring to naught check collar contain coop up cork corner cover up cramp curb enclose entrap hold back hold down hold in keep back keep feeling inside oneself keep secret restrain restrict shut in trap

Antonyms

STRONGEST

let go

WEAK

confide reveal tell

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.

So the establishment decided to bottle up the flavours of its "fermentation lab" and "test kitchen".

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

With suicide the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, a new film explores why many men still bottle up their emotions, and asks whether such ingrained, systemic behaviour can be changed.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2024

So Washington State’s challenge, among others, will be to find a way to do both — to bottle up the run and contain the pass.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2023

“I want to bottle up what their family taught them,” Close said after Gabriela scored seven points with five rebounds and three steals during UCLA’s second-round win against Oklahoma.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2023

Psychiatrists tell you not to bottle up your feelings because they’ll eventually explode.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

bottle up

Example Sentences

Related Words