repression
gb/ɹipɹˈɛʃən/ us/ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
B2
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
action
1
harsh control of people or opposition
The act of a government or authority using force or very strict rules to stop people from speaking, protesting, or acting freely.
Usage pattern:
repression of [group/opposition]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'repression' with 'oppression' and 'suppression'. 'Oppression' is a broader word for unfair, cruel treatment over time. 'Repression' focuses more on the active use of force or strict control, especially by a state, to crush opposition. 'Suppression' can be broader and is often used for stopping information, protests, or feelings, not only by governments.
Synonyms
oppression (Stresses long-term unfair treatment and lack of freedom; 'repression' often highlights active, sometimes violent, force to crush resistance.)
Antonyms
freedom (Represents the condition in which people can act and speak without the harsh control described by 'repression'.)
Collocations
political repression
|state repression
|government repression
|brutal repression
|repression of dissent
|violent repression
Themes
politics
|law
|society
Examples
- The protesters marched in silence to draw attention to the regime’s brutal repression of dissent.
- International observers condemned the government’s repression of minority communities.
- Decades of political repression left the population afraid to criticize the authorities.
- He wrote a book about state repression during the military dictatorship.
- The new laws were widely seen as a tool of repression rather than public safety.
Learner examples
- The police used violence in the repression of the protest.
- People fled the country to escape political repression.
- Under repression, many citizens are afraid to speak in public.
- News about the repression of journalists spread online.
- The new leader promised to end the repression of opposition parties.
unknown
technical
C1
event
2
unconscious blocking of painful thoughts
In psychology, a mental process that happens without choice, where the mind hides painful memories or thoughts so a person is not aware of them.
Usage pattern:
repression of [memories/thoughts/trauma]
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'repression' when they mean a conscious choice to hold back thoughts or feelings. For a conscious effort, 'suppression' or simple phrases like 'holding back your feelings' are usually better. In psychology, 'repression' specifically means an unconscious process.
Synonyms
suppression (In psychology, 'suppression' is usually a conscious effort to push thoughts away, while 'repression' is unconscious and automatic.)
Antonyms
awareness (Repression hides thoughts from the mind; awareness means those thoughts are recognized and conscious.)
Collocations
psychological repression
|Freudian repression
|unconscious repression
|repression of memories
|repression of trauma
|deep repression
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|health
Examples
- The therapist suggested that long-term repression of childhood trauma might be affecting her relationships.
- In Freudian theory, repression is seen as a central defense mechanism that shapes personality.
- His sudden flashbacks were interpreted as repressed memories breaking through years of repression.
- Repression can protect a person in the short term but may lead to anxiety or depression later.
- The article explains the difference between repression and denial in psychoanalytic terms.
Learner examples
- The doctor spoke about repression of painful memories.
- In this theory, repression happens without the person knowing.
- Repression can hide strong fear from the conscious mind.
- Some psychologists say repression can cause mental problems later.
- The book gives an example of repression after a bad accident.
Noun
B2
action
3
deliberate holding back of feelings
The act of choosing not to show or follow your feelings or desires, often because you think they are wrong or not accepted.
Usage pattern:
repression of [emotions/desire/anger]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'repression' with 'depression'. 'Repression' is about hiding or holding back feelings or desires. 'Depression' is a medical condition or deep sadness. Also, for everyday situations, phrases like 'bottling up your feelings' or 'holding back your feelings' are more common than 'repression'.
Synonyms
self-restraint (Emphasizes controlling oneself; 'repression' often suggests stronger or unhealthy holding back of feelings or desires.)
Antonyms
expression (Expression means showing feelings openly; repression means holding them back or hiding them.)
Collocations
emotional repression
|sexual repression
|repression of anger
|repression of desire
|deep repression
|internal repression
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Years of emotional repression left him unable to talk about how he really felt.
- The novel portrays the damage caused by strict sexual repression in a small religious community.
- Her constant smiling seemed less like happiness and more like repression of anger.
- Cultural norms can encourage the repression of sadness, especially in men.
- Therapy helped him move from repression of his feelings to expressing them in a healthy way.
Learner examples
- Emotional repression can make a person feel very lonely.
- His silence was a form of repression of his anger.
- Some families teach repression of sadness and fear.
- The film shows the effects of sexual repression on the characters.
- Repression of real feelings can hurt relationships.
Noun
technical
C2
event
4
biological or chemical inhibition process
In biology, a process that makes a gene, cell, or chemical reaction work less or stop working, usually because something in the body controls it.
Usage pattern:
repression of [gene/activity/response]
Synonyms
inhibition (General technical term for slowing or stopping a biological or chemical process; 'repression' is often used for genetic or cellular regulation.)
Antonyms
activation (Activation is the start or increase of activity; repression is the decrease or stopping of activity.)
Collocations
gene repression
|transcriptional repression
|immune repression
|repression of gene expression
|repression of the immune system
|tumor repression
Themes
science
|medicine
Examples
- The study shows how nutrient levels trigger the repression of certain genes.
- Transcriptional repression plays a key role in regulating cell growth.
- Long-term immune repression can make patients more vulnerable to infections.
- The drug works by the repression of an enzyme involved in inflammation.
- Researchers are investigating the repression of tumor-suppressor genes in cancer cells.
Learner examples
- This medicine can cause repression of the immune system.
- Gene repression controls when some proteins are made.
- In this experiment, we measure repression of enzyme activity.
- The paper explains the repression of one gene by another protein.
- Repression of cell growth can slow the spread of cancer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
repression
IPA
GB/ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
US/ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - pres - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pres)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: repression
- Plural: repression, repressions
Word family
Forms
repressions
noun
Core family
Related words
repressively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unrepressed
adjective
Expressions
brutal repression
1/bɹˈutəl ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
very violent form of repression
Very harsh and often violent action to stop protests or opposition.
Examples
- The peaceful march was met with brutal repression by the security forces.
- News of the brutal repression shocked the international community.
emotional repression
1/ɪmˈoʊʃənəl ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
not showing one’s emotions
When someone often holds back their feelings and does not show or talk about them.
Examples
- His emotional repression made it difficult for him to form close relationships.
- Therapy helped her recognize patterns of emotional repression learned in childhood.
government repression
1/ɡˈʌvɚnmənt ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
repressive actions by a government
When a government uses police, army, or harsh laws to stop people from speaking or acting freely.
Examples
- Activists are calling for an end to government repression of journalists.
- Under government repression, even small protests were quickly broken up.
political repression
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
harsh control of political opposition
When a government uses force or very strict rules to stop people from taking part in politics or speaking against it.
Examples
- The report documents years of political repression under the previous regime.
- Many citizens fled the country to escape political repression and violence.
- International pressure finally forced the government to ease its political repression.
repression of anger
1/ɹipɹˈɛʃən əv ˈæŋɡɚ/
fixed phrase
keeping anger hidden inside
Choosing not to show or speak about your anger, even when you feel it strongly.
Examples
- Chronic repression of anger can lead to stress and health problems.
- The counselor encouraged him to talk instead of relying on repression of anger.
repression of dissent
1/ɹipɹˈɛʃən əv dɪsˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
cracking down on disagreement
Actions taken to stop people from speaking out or protesting against the government or leaders.
Examples
- Human rights groups condemned the repression of dissent ahead of the election.
- The new security laws are seen as tools for the repression of dissent.
sexual repression
1/sˈɛkʃuəl ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
holding back sexual feelings
When a person or a society strongly holds back or controls sexual feelings and behaviors.
Examples
- The novel explores the effects of strict sexual repression in a conservative town.
- Sexual repression can lead to shame and confusion about normal desires.
state repression
1/stˈeɪt ɹipɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
repression carried out by the state
When the state, through the police, army, or laws, uses force or fear to control people and limit their freedom.
Examples
- The film is a powerful portrait of state repression during the civil war.
- Decades of state repression have left deep scars in society.