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

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

I wanted him to go on talking like this, that his bitterness might loosen and come away, carrying with it all the pent-up hatred and disgust and muck of the lost years.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier