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
Çatak speaks to Variety about how political repression in the arts is not just a Turkish problem these days.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Research on Arab diaspora activism documents shows how governments deter dissent through transnational repression.
—Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
His new film, which focuses on this artist couple facing state repression, is called Yellow Letters (Gelbe Briefe).
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Slowly, students, unions and opposition activists are taking advantage of this moment to express their views, probing the limits of free speech after years of repression and the constant threat of detention.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
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Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Research on Arab diaspora activism documents shows how governments deter dissent through transnational repression.
—Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
His new film, which focuses on this artist couple facing state repression, is called Yellow Letters (Gelbe Briefe).
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Slowly, students, unions and opposition activists are taking advantage of this moment to express their views, probing the limits of free speech after years of repression and the constant threat of detention.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repression
Cite this Entry
“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repression. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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