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

Even though the film is set in the period of the 40’s and 50’s and is about a celebrated Hungarian architect coming to America for a new life and new opportunities after repression in his own country, Brody is proud that the Brady Corbet film has relevance for what is happening now. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025

Previous reports from the United Nations had warned that those actions were systematically implemented by Maduro’s repression apparatus. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025

Though Mother Mary is her first memoir, Roy is also the author of nonfiction books including The Algebra of Infinite Justice, a collection of political essays, and Walking with the Comrades, about government repression in India. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

The Gaza conflict did raise the Palestinian issue — the long struggle for independence after decades of Israeli occupation and repression — on the world stage. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

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