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
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
If pushback fails now, whether through courts, through Congress or through public protest, the bulwark that exists between national security and political repression may collapse entirely.
—
Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
History’s rhythm is steady—accusation, repression, regret.
—Alexis Coe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
In a matter of hours, the pillars of an entire system of repression had not simply collapsed.
—Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Some of these movements have continued for months or keep reemerging despite growing violence and repression against them.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repression
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Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
History’s rhythm is steady—accusation, repression, regret.
—Alexis Coe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
In a matter of hours, the pillars of an entire system of repression had not simply collapsed.
—Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Some of these movements have continued for months or keep reemerging despite growing violence and repression against them.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repression
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repression. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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