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

Example Sentences

the state's repression of its citizens

They survived 60 years of political repression.

Recent Examples on the Web

Migrants have been crossing the border in record numbers in recent months, many of them fleeing repression, crime and poverty in their home countries. —Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2023

As a result of conflict, repression, economic circumstances, famine, and drought, more than two million people have tried to cross the Mediterranean to Europe since 2014, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. —Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023

The opposition is split over how to face down political repression, which is a chronic challenge, according to the U.N. report published this fall. —Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2022

For the past three centuries, Russia has been the dominant power in the region, and Ukrainian artists and intellectuals have struggled to keep their language and culture alive despite repression, starvation and war. —Reagan Upshaw, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2022

Authorities reacted with repression, such as state violence or detention, in around a quarter of the cases documented by Freedom House. —Sha Hua And Josh Chin, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022

While there are other grievances at play—not least suffocating social restrictions, a collapsing economy, and widespread repression—their opposition to the regime is shared. —Yasmeen Serhan, Time, 10 Nov. 2022

The whole world loves ABBA, but England especially, because of the repression (see above). —James Parker, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2022

The Queen’s death prompted mixed reactions in former British colonies across Africa and Asia, with many pointing out that the royal family symbolized a legacy of exploitation, repression, and white supremacy. —Yvonne Lau, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022

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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