pent
5 synonyms for pent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use pent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pent-up anger
pent-up energy
pent-up demand
Etymology
From "pen" (to enclose) plus the old past-tense ending "-t", the same pattern seen in words like "bent" from "bend".
Full origin of pent →Frequently asked questions
What does “pent” mean?
The word “pent” means shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely. In plain terms, almost always seen today in the compound "pent-up", describing emotions or energy that have been held in and not released.
How do you pronounce “pent”?
“Pent” is pronounced pehnt (/pɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pent” in a sentence?
Here is “pent” used in a sentence: “Years of pent frustration finally spilled out during the argument.”
What part of speech is “pent”?
Depending on how it is used, “pent” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “pent” have?
“Pent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely.
