repression
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.
repression of [group/opposition]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
repression of [memories/thoughts/trauma]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
repression of [emotions/desire/anger]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
repression of [gene/activity/response]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: repression
- Plural: repression, repressions
brutal repression
1very violent form of repression
Very harsh and often violent action to stop protests or opposition.
- The peaceful march was met with brutal repression by the security forces.
- News of the brutal repression shocked the international community.
emotional repression
1not showing one’s emotions
When someone often holds back their feelings and does not show or talk about them.
- 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
1repressive actions by a government
When a government uses police, army, or harsh laws to stop people from speaking or acting freely.
- Activists are calling for an end to government repression of journalists.
- Under government repression, even small protests were quickly broken up.
political repression
1harsh 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.
- 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
1keeping anger hidden inside
Choosing not to show or speak about your anger, even when you feel it strongly.
- 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
1cracking down on disagreement
Actions taken to stop people from speaking out or protesting against the government or leaders.
- 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
1holding back sexual feelings
When a person or a society strongly holds back or controls sexual feelings and behaviors.
- 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
1repression 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.
- The film is a powerful portrait of state repression during the civil war.
- Decades of state repression have left deep scars in society.