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.

Higher inflation in Germany would hit consumer spending, the institutes said, weighing on an already weak economy that has barely grown since a burst of pent-up demand after the Covid pandemic in 2022.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 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

Further, Macklem said there was notable pent-up demand from consumers coming out of the pandemic, as households had accumulated sizable savings, and craved goods and services not available to them due to social-distancing restrictions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 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

But sometimes it broke out in other ways, this danger, these pent-up things, as from an overheated boiler.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque