repression
noun
re·pres·sion
ri-ˈpre-shən 
1
a
: the action or process of repressing : the state of being repressed
repression of unpopular opinions
b
: an instance of repressing
racial repressions
2
a
: a mental process by which distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses that may give rise to anxiety are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious
b
: an item so excluded
Examples of repression in a Sentence
the state's repression of its citizens
They survived 60 years of political repression.
Recent Examples on the Web
The unrest presents a test for Hassan, who won plaudits after taking office in 2021 for easing repression of opponents and censorship that had increased under her predecessor John Magufuli.
—
Reuters 10 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
On a recent episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, DaCosta told IndieWire that continuing to play with the script wasn’t just about calibrating the levels of performance, repression, and passion simmering just beneath the characters’ exteriors.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
California had the chance to take an historic stand against foreign repression.
—Mohammed Jawad, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
History’s rhythm is steady—accusation, repression, regret.
—Alexis Coe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repression
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Reuters 10 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
On a recent episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, DaCosta told IndieWire that continuing to play with the script wasn’t just about calibrating the levels of performance, repression, and passion simmering just beneath the characters’ exteriors.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
California had the chance to take an historic stand against foreign repression.
—Mohammed Jawad, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
History’s rhythm is steady—accusation, repression, regret.
—Alexis Coe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repression
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repression. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repression
noun
re·pres·sion
ri-ˈpresh-ən
1
: the act of repressing : the state of being repressed
2
: a process of the mind by which painful or disturbing thoughts or desires are kept from conscious awareness
Medical Definition
repression
noun
re·pres·sion
ri-ˈpresh-ən
1
: the action or process of repressing
gene repression
2
a
: a process by which unacceptable desires or impulses are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious compare suppression sense c
b
: an item so excluded
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