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

Occupation, along with the repression and hardship that accompanied it, rallied new recruits to Hezbollah and other Lebanese armed political parties’ ranks. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024

More concretely, Iran is struggling with widespread domestic discontent over its repression of dissent and a weak economy battered by U.S. and other international sanctions. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024

Everyone here has publicly expressed their frustration and feelings about what a long list of organizations and governments have pointed out as electoral fraud in Venezuela, and the repression that followed the elections. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2024

Iran’s repression of protesters and women amounts to ‘crimes against humanity,’ UN report says The subsequent violent crackdown by the Iranian regime killed hundreds of people. —Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN, 3 Nov. 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