as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
psychologists talking about the repression of anger and how it affects one's health
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Recent Examples of repression
The protests began in late December amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression and corruption, according to reports.
—
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
That could mean the AI itself seizing power, autocratic states using it for repression, or individuals creating bioweapons.
—semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In The Dressmaker, for example, World War II is just something that’s happening, shaking up a world of repression and poverty.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
News outlets are belatedly reporting that the Islamic Republic has used the cover of a sustained media blackout to carry out the most extensive repression in its history.
—Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
That could mean the AI itself seizing power, autocratic states using it for repression, or individuals creating bioweapons.
—semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In The Dressmaker, for example, World War II is just something that’s happening, shaking up a world of repression and poverty.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
News outlets are belatedly reporting that the Islamic Republic has used the cover of a sustained media blackout to carry out the most extensive repression in its history.
—Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repression
Noun
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The Forever Fleece Wide-leg Pants are the perfect addition to your travel wear, offering an extra roomy fit, plush fleece fabric, and unbeatable softness for all-day wear with no restraint.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
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That action demonstrates enthusiasm in the turnaround, tempered by some restraint around where the multiyear targets ultimately land.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This season, Vonn historically won two more downhill races – becoming the oldest World Cup race winner ever – and leads the season World Cup standings in the discipline.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
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Then Goodell pumped the brakes on a full investigation of the matter and on Tisch possibly facing discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Oceanside plans to boost spending on crime suppression, e-bike enforcement and homelessness prevention this year using higher-than-expected revenue from the Measure X half-cent sales tax hike approved by voters.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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On the streets of Tehran, the violent suppression of January’s protests is at the forefront of people’s minds.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the brain scans of other extreme athletes and adrenaline junkies, Amen said there’s often lower baseline activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in fear inhibition, impulse control and risk evaluation.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Narcissists sometimes get worse with age, as their remaining inhibitions fall away.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repression. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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