repression

American  

[ri-presh-uhn] / rɪˈprɛʃ ən /

noun

repressions plural

1. the act of repressing; state of being repressed.

2. Psychology, Psychoanalysis. the rejection from consciousness of painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses.

   Freud's approach to interpreting early memories emphasizes what is forgotten through the mechanism of repression.

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repression British  

noun

1. the act or process of repressing or the condition of being repressed

2. psychoanal the subconscious rejection of thoughts and impulses that conflict with conventional standards of conduct See suppression

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonrepression
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• repressions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of repression

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English repressioun, from Medieval Latin repressiōn- (stem of repressiō ), Late Latin: “suppression”; see repress, -ion

Explanation

Repression is a kind of holding back or holding down. There's repression of feelings (willing yourself not to cry), as well as social repression (where the government limits freedom or shuts out certain groups). Repression is like suppression: you restrain, inhibit, or subdue something. Not allowing women to vote is a perfect example of political repression. If you have trouble expressing your feelings and keep things bottled up, then emotional repression is a big part of your personality. People often turn to repression because they're scared of what will happen if they say what's on their mind. Unfortunately, political and emotional repression can often lead to anger and even violence.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

repression repressions

Emphasizing compassion and kindness, the Dalai Lama’s spiritual and moral leadership exemplifies the victory of freedom and faith over autocracy and repression.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

In the face of deportation fears and political repression, the Los Angeles goth scene provides Latinos an outlet for cultural pride and shameless expression.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

But the current wave of repression has caught up Iranians from all ethnic and social backgrounds, from Tehran to small provincial towns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

The blast came weeks after Thailand's then-ruling junta forcibly repatriated 109 Uyghurs to China, where rights groups say the Muslim minority face cultural and religious repression.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

It is a tragic cycle, condemning us to ever deeper inequality, and in the long run, almost no one benefits but the agents of repression themselves.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

His later conviction marked a hardening of repressions against opponents of the war.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2024

All over the country, people are laying flowers at memorials to Soviet repressions.

From New York Times ● Feb. 19, 2024

"We are seeing extremely worrying developments where activists all over the world are experiencing increased repressions just for fighting for our present and our future," the 20-year-old Thunberg said.

From Reuters ● Jun. 22, 2023

“The repressions have destroyed procedural and professional guarantees for lawyers’ activities, resulting in the effective destruction of legal defense in the country.”

From Washington Times ● Jun. 18, 2023

By disparagement, by starvation, by repressions, forced direction, and the stunning hammerblows of conditioning, the free, roving mind is being pursued, roped, blunted, drugged.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• oppression
• suppression