repression
n. C / Un. the act of using force to control a group of people, or the mental process of hiding painful feelings from yourself.
n. the action of subduing someone or something by force; in a psychological context, the exclusion of distressing memories or impulses from the conscious mind.
The government used military force for the repression of the protests.
Psychologists believe that the repression of childhood trauma can lead to unexplained anxiety in adult life.
The regime maintained its power through the systematic repression of political dissent, ensuring that any voice of opposition was silenced before it could gain public momentum.
Uncountable when referring to the general act of subduing; countable when referring to specific historical instances or psychological mechanisms.