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

• restraint
• discipline
• suppression
• inhibition

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

While past presidents, including Barack Obama, maintained a cautious distance from Lukashenko—whose 31-year rule has been marked by repression and international isolation—Trump has opted for warmer ties. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

The regime turns the former leper hospital into a place of death, where the prisoners are subjected to repression in a place of astounding beauty. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025

In practice, this means a country with a pattern of press intimidation or torture is criticized for only one violation, erasing the broader scale of repression. —Graham Smith, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025

Against all repression and odds, a love affair begins to blossom while the Red Army finally approaches Austria. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for repression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

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