repression

noun

re·​pres·​sion ri-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce repression (audio)
Synonyms of repression
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
repressionist
ri-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce repression (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of repression

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
France's post-revolution history is not a solid story of protests and reforms, but of cycles of popular uprisings, repression, mobilization and political concessions. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Despite its shortcomings – and its failure to prevent dispossession and repression – Israeli citizenship has still been taken particularly seriously by Palestinian citizens. — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 The future of Indian democracy hinges on whether this contest opens up more democratic space or leads to greater repression. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 To play Sebastian, Guitarrica had to immerse himself in the character’s emotional repression, from which music is his only escape. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repression

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of repression was in the 15th century

Rhymes for repression

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Browse Nearby Words

represser
repression
repressiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repression. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

repression

noun
re·​pres·​sion ri-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce repression (audio)
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 How to pronounce repression (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on repression

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about repression

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