What does "repression" mean?

1. (political control) the use of force or strict laws by a government to control people and stop them from being free. 2. (hiding feelings) the act of pushing painful or scary memories and feelings out of your conscious mind.

How do you use "repression"?

Often used as an uncountable noun in clinical contexts.

repression

US //ɹiˈpɹɛʃən// UK //ɹɪpɹˈɛʃən// re·pres·sion

1 political control (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the use of force or strict laws by a government to control people and stop them from being free.

the action of subduing someone or something by force; specifically, the inhibition of political or social freedom.

Example

The citizens suffered under years of political repression and had no right to protest.

Example

The regime maintained its grip on power through the systematic repression of all dissenting voices and the strict censorship of independent media.
- liberation
- freedom
2 hiding feelings (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Academic Psychology

the act of pushing painful or scary memories and feelings out of your conscious mind.

the psychological process of excluding distressing memories, thoughts, or impulses from the conscious mind.

Example

He dealt with his childhood trauma through repression, refusing to think about what happened.

Example

Freudian theory suggests that emotional repression can lead to various psychological symptoms later in adult life if the underlying conflicts remain unresolved.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun in clinical contexts.
- denial
- inhibition
- expression
- awareness