Dictionary
repression
noun re·pres·sion \ri-ˈpre-shən\
: the act of using force to control someone or something
: the state of being controlled by force
: the act of not allowing a memory, feeling, or desire to be expressed
Full Definition of REPRESSION
1
a : the action or process of repressing : the state of being repressed <repression of unpopular opinions> b : an instance of repressing <racial repressions>
2
a : a mental process by which distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses that may give rise to anxiety are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious b : an item so excluded
— re·pres·sion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ adjective
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First Known Use of REPRESSION
1533
Related to REPRESSION
- Synonyms
- continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, constraint, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
- Antonyms
- disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with REPRESSION
accession, aggression, bull session, compression, concession, confession, depression, digression, discretion, egression, expression, impression, ingression, jam session, obsession, oppression, precession, procession, profession, progression, recession, refreshen, regression, secession, skull session, succession, suppression, transgression
Medical Dictionary
repression
noun re·pres·sion \ri-ˈpresh-ən\
Medical Definition of REPRESSION
1
: the action or process of repressing <gene repression>
2
a : a process by which unacceptable desires or impulses are excluded from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious—compare suppression c b : an item so excluded
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