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
The artistry of Sing Sing is undeniable, contrasting the physical and emotional freedom of theater against the confinement and repression of prison.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Human rights groups have described it as Venezuela’s most brutal campaign of repression in recent decades.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Aiming for success in all three domains—seeking an end to the government’s nuclear program, military support of proxies, and repression of the Iranian people—would, however, almost certainly fail.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2025
Machado had previously ceased holding public protests in light of the regime’s fierce repression following the July 28th election that led to the arrest of nearly 2,400 people, among them protesters, opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for repression 
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Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Human rights groups have described it as Venezuela’s most brutal campaign of repression in recent decades.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Aiming for success in all three domains—seeking an end to the government’s nuclear program, military support of proxies, and repression of the Iranian people—would, however, almost certainly fail.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2025
Machado had previously ceased holding public protests in light of the regime’s fierce repression following the July 28th election that led to the arrest of nearly 2,400 people, among them protesters, opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 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 18 Jan. 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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