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
There was relative peace for 11 years, until a second civil war erupted in 1983, when leaders in Khartoum imposed sharia (Islamic) law and accelerated repression of the southern Christian rebels, which ultimately allowed a ruthless military officer, Omar al-Bashir, to come to power in 1989.
—
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
A lot of it came from internalized homophobia and his own repression.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
The human-rights groups are also tallying Iran’s civilian war dead—about 1,700, according to HRANA, 250 of them children—and tracking a campaign of domestic repression and intimidation that has escalated since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.
—
Laura Secor,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Many who live in our community today fled political repression, gang threats and worse.
—
Nancy Rudner,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
A lot of it came from internalized homophobia and his own repression.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
The human-rights groups are also tallying Iran’s civilian war dead—about 1,700, according to HRANA, 250 of them children—and tracking a campaign of domestic repression and intimidation that has escalated since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.
—
Laura Secor,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Many who live in our community today fled political repression, gang threats and worse.
—
Nancy Rudner,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repression
Noun
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Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
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Martin's family believes that the long paramedic response time, as well as restraint asphyxia caused by Oakland police officers, caused Martin's death.
Noun
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Platforms built around incentive capture, funding cost discipline and structural durability are well-positioned to deliver the hedge that households are now actively seeking.
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The Honorary Award is given to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or outstanding service to the Academy.
Noun
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In fact a 2025 published in Open Nursing linked these expectations to elevated stress, emotional suppression, delayed healthcare utilization, burnout, and adverse physical health outcomes.
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The post also states that fire suppression resources will be stationed on-site.
Noun
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Darkness removes that inhibition and allows the pineal gland to release melatonin.
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The little people are being menaced by a dark force—a force with power, money, and very few moral inhibitions.
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repression. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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