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

Similarly, the repression of Japanese men and women is, here and in reality, just a part of life, as this film spans from the 1970s to the present day with little modulation in social tides inherently tilted against individuality. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025

But New Delhi remained notably silent on the subject of domestic repression. —Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025

Millions of Venezuelans have fled a humanitarian and economic crisis exacerbated by political repression. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

There are other signs that Iran’s previously relentless social repression is beginning to relax. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 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