repression

noun re·pres·sion \ ri-ˈpre-shən \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: repression in a Sentence

Definition of repression

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

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repressionist

play \ri-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist\ adjective

See repression defined for English-language learners

See repression defined for kids

Examples of repression in a Sentence

the state's repression of its citizens
They survived 60 years of political repression.

Recent Examples of repression from the Web

These works create a feeling of immediacy but also one of experimentation, as if the artists were constantly probing the limits of what was possible amid landscapes of political repression.

— New York Times, "The Art of Staying Cool: 10 Can’t-Miss Summer Shows in New York," 4 July 2018
That led to harsh criticism that Salah was being used by Kadyrov — who is accused of repression and persecution — for political gain in the mostly Muslim region in southern Russia.

— ann killion, SFChronicle.com, "Shut up and dribble? Not in basketball. Certainly not in soccer," 25 June 2018
Political repression is enforced by a massive security apparatus, with layers of surveillance that pervade every level of society—from the military to schools, farms, factories and families.

— claudia rosett, WSJ, "Only Freedom Can Disarm Kim," 31 May 2018
The rebellion and its repression made clear that 1968 was not only a protest against capitalism and its appetites but against Soviet-style communism as well.

— alan wolfe, The New Republic, "A Most Violent Year," 18 May 2018
Overall, more than 1,200 people were detained at anti-government rallies across Russia on Saturday, nearly half of them in Moscow, according to OVD-Info — a group that monitors political repression in Russia.

— NBC News, "Protesters detained as thousands rally against Putin's government," 5 May 2018
OVD-Info, an organization that monitors political repression, said late Saturday that at least 1,607 people had been detained at demonstrations in 20 Russian cities, the Associated Press reported.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Russian police detain more than 1,600 protesting against Putin," 5 May 2018
OVD-Info, which tracks political repressions, said more than 50 people were arrested in Moscow, including protestg organizer Alexei Navalny, a relentless the anti-corruption campaigner and dogged Putin foe.

— doug stanglin, USA TODAY, "Opposition leader Alexei Navalny among hundreds arrested in Russia in anti-Putin protests," 5 May 2018
Protesters and immigrants’ rights organizers gathered outside of the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Sunday morning to demand the release of asylum seekers fleeing gang violence and state repression in their home countries.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hundreds protest outside at Otay Mesa Detention Center calling for release of asylum seekers," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repression.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of repression

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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repression Synonyms

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REPRESSION Defined for English Language Learners

repression

noun

Definition of repression for English Language Learners

: the act of using force to control someone or something
: the state of being controlled by force
: the act of not allowing a memory, feeling, or desire to be expressed

Medical Dictionary

repression

noun re·pres·sion \ ri-ˈpresh-ən \

medical Definition of repression

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 c

b : an item so excluded