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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repression
As the modes of violence and the modes of repression become more and more complicated and increasingly technologically sophisticated, so do the tools for investigating them, for telling stories about them.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Other Iranians who spoke to ABC News expressed clear support for the American-Israeli war and the strikes, which have also targeted key institutions of repression, including prisons and security service headquarters.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
In telling a story about the long tail of fascist repression, Filho and star Wagner Moura cover a lot of ground.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
The periods before and after the Civil War spring to mind, along with the corruption of the Gilded Age and the repression of McCarthyism.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Other Iranians who spoke to ABC News expressed clear support for the American-Israeli war and the strikes, which have also targeted key institutions of repression, including prisons and security service headquarters.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
In telling a story about the long tail of fascist repression, Filho and star Wagner Moura cover a lot of ground.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
The periods before and after the Civil War spring to mind, along with the corruption of the Gilded Age and the repression of McCarthyism.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repression
Noun
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Because college football players can’t unionize and bargain rules, anti-tampering and other prohibitions aren’t exempt from antitrust scrutiny and can be challenged as unreasonable restraints on trade and price-fixing schemes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Heller notes that restraint matters too—excessive throw pillows can make a primary bedroom feel fussy.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There was the loss of many of the discipline engineers who were necessary to assess the labor requirements for the mission.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
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The board’s responsibilities include looking into the academy’s morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, financial affairs, academic methods and other matters.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Democrats are almost universally opposed to a separate proof of citizenship provision in the bill, and have generally panned the legislation as an attempt at voter suppression.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
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Democrats and voting rights advocates call it a clear act of voter suppression.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Metallica plays on the stereo while Garcia and Huerta operate like two rock stars with no inhibitions in the kitchen.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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The blow keeps you awake and the alcohol lowers your inhibitions.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repression. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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