repression

noun

re·​pres·​sion ri-ˈpre-shən 

1

a

: the action or process of repressing : the state of being repressed

repression of unpopular opinions

b

: an instance of repressing

racial repressions

2

a

: a mental process by which distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses that may give rise to anxiety are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious

b

: an item so excluded

repressionist

ri-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist 

adjective

Synonyms

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• inhibition
• refrainment
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint
• suppression

Examples of repression in a Sentence

the state's repression of its citizens

They survived 60 years of political repression.

Recent Examples on the Web

Today’s aspiring authoritarians are less likely than the 20th century’s to show up as right-wing strongmen, using violence and repression to seize power. —Kristina Foltz, The Mercury News, 7 June 2024

Stunned by the scale of repression, the study’s authors saw fit to compare Ortega’s Nicaragua to Germany under the Nazis. —TIME, 2 May 2024

Some themes, like emotional repression, are familiar chords from the first film. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 June 2024

Viewed like this, the story of Bloody Tuesday reveals a radically different American history, one defined by ordinary Black men, women, and children surviving a relentless campaign of repression waged by law enforcement and white citizens. —John M. Giggie / Made By History, TIME, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

repression

noun

re·​pres·​sion ri-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: the act of repressing : the state of being repressed

2

: a process of the mind by which painful or disturbing thoughts or desires are kept from conscious awareness

Medical Definition

repression

noun

re·​pres·​sion ri-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: the action or process of repressing

gene repression

2

a

: a process by which unacceptable desires or impulses are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious compare suppression sense c

b

: an item so excluded