REPRESSION Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

repression

noun

ri-ˈpre-shən

Definition of repression

as in restraint

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others psychologists talking about the repression of anger and how it affects one's health

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of repression The future of Indian democracy hinges on whether this contest opens up more democratic space or leads to greater repression. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 To play Sebastian, Guitarrica had to immerse himself in the character’s emotional repression, from which music is his only escape. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Blending psychological drama with raw folk horror steeped in the West Slavic mythology of Kashubia, Òpi explores violence, repression and the horrors inherited from one generation to the next. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The networks were responding in solidarity to repression of a free press. — Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repression

Noun

Kitchen also had to develop a little more restraint — something that doesn't always come naturally in a sport where riders are constantly pushing the limits of speed and control.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Sullivan faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping and a single count each of first-degree assault, first-degree unlawful restraint and intentional cruelty to persons.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

Today, a fourth discipline has quietly become just as important.

— Tom Wicky, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But Roger remembers the particular discipline of working on low-budget film productions, when stock and time were precious and rolling the camera was consequential.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

In my experience, the involvement of ketamine or other drugs invariably makes a bad situation worse – complicating consent, impairing judgment and reducing inhibitions.

— Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Many visual motifs emerge, most notably the men in the crowd who shed any inhibitions to cry, dance, and belt the songs at the top of their lungs.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of inhibition

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repressing

repression

repressive

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“Repression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repression. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of repression

noun

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