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 of repression

• 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

Rights advocates have repeatedly warned that repression in Belarus continues despite the releases, and more people get arrested and convicted. —Yuras Karmanau, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Rouzbeh Fouladi—Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images Khamenei’s detractors rejoiced upon hearing his death, citing decades of repression and crackdowns on expression and protests under his rule. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

And what institutions need to be destroyed so that systemic repression can stop? —Leila Fadel, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026

Under the rule of the Caracas Socialist regime, Venezuela experienced one of the world’s largest migration crises in recent years, with more than eight million people leaving the country amid economic collapse and political repression. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

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