Definitions

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

“It kind of siphoned all of that pent-up, closeted stuff that you hold back, that you couldn’t freely express,” she said.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

It was as if all the pent-up desires of my childless days were now bearing fruit.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya