repression

American  

[ri-presh-uhn] / rɪˈprɛʃ ən /

noun

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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Other Word Forms

• nonrepression noun

Etymology

Origin of repression

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

Example Sentences

The UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged Iranian authorities to halt all forms of violence and repression against peaceful protesters immediately, his office said.

From BBC

Saudi leaders have long worried that unrest in the region could spark protests within their own borders and draw attention to their own record of repression against protesters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since the Islamic revolution in 1979 the Iranian authorities have spent time and money creating an elaborate and ruthless network of coercion and repression.

From BBC

On Tuesday, EU member Ireland's premier Micheal Martin said "we have called for an end to the repression in Iran".

From Barron's

Last week, the UN's human rights office said the elections would "take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and those with dissenting views".

From BBC

Related Words

• oppression
• suppression