# repression

/ɹiˈpɹɛʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪpɹˈɛʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/repression
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. political control

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The citizens suffered under years of political repression and had no right to protest.
- The regime maintained its grip on power through the systematic repression of all dissenting voices and the strict censorship of independent media.

### 2. hiding feelings

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

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

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

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

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.