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
Synonyms
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
Sometimes, repression has the effect of illuminating and making palpable the thing itself.
—
Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
These are people seeking safety, fleeing a humanitarian crisis and serious political repression.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
In recent years, eight million Venezuelans have left the country due to economic turmoil and political repression.
—Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
The music video is a visual interpretation of lyrics that seemingly have Abel addressing a child, from the perspective of a parent, with an allegorical title referencing the Ethiopian Red Terror, a period of violet political repression that resulted in the deaths of thousands in the late ’70s.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for repression 
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Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
These are people seeking safety, fleeing a humanitarian crisis and serious political repression.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
In recent years, eight million Venezuelans have left the country due to economic turmoil and political repression.
—Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
The music video is a visual interpretation of lyrics that seemingly have Abel addressing a child, from the perspective of a parent, with an allegorical title referencing the Ethiopian Red Terror, a period of violet political repression that resulted in the deaths of thousands in the late ’70s.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for repression
Dictionary Entries Near repression
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repression. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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