repress
C1Formal (in psychological/political contexts); General (for emotions).
Definition
Meaning
To subdue or hold back something by force; to prevent something (an emotion, memory, desire, or action) from being expressed or coming to the surface.
Used in psychology for unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts or impulses; used in socio-political contexts for a government or authority using force to control or eliminate opposition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate or forceful act of suppression, which can be conscious (e.g., repressing a revolt) or unconscious (e.g., repressed memories). The psychological meaning is more technical but widely understood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major spelling or usage differences. Both variants use the word identically in core meanings.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British academic/political discourse referring to state actions; equally common in American psychological discourse.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP ___ NP (The government repressed the protest)NP ___ (She repressed for years)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A repressed memory”
- “A repressive regime”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly 'repress market forces' in critical economic commentary.
Academic
Common in psychology (repressed memories, desires), political science (repressed groups, movements), and sociology.
Everyday
Mostly for emotions (repress feelings, anger) or involuntary reactions (repress a laugh).
Technical
Core term in Freudian/psychoanalytic theory ('the repressed').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The regime moved quickly to repress any signs of organised dissent.
- She learnt to repress her frustration during the lengthy meetings.
American English
- The government was accused of trying to repress the investigation.
- He repressed a groan when he saw the extra paperwork.
adjective
British English
- He came from a very repressed Victorian background.
- Her repressed anger eventually manifested as stress.
American English
- The film critiques a repressed suburban society.
- His repressed emotions made him seem cold.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He tried to repress a laugh.
- It's not healthy to repress your feelings all the time.
- The army was used to repress the protest.
- For years, she repressed the memory of the accident.
- Authoritarian regimes often repress freedom of speech.
- The theory suggests that repressed childhood trauma can influence adult behaviour.
- The uprising was brutally repressed by the state security forces.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PRESS (machine) RE-pressing down on something that's trying to rise up, forcing it back down.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONS/IDEAS ARE A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE (kept bottled up), CONTROL IS HOLDING DOWN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'reprimand' (делать выговор).
- Different from 'oppress' (угнетать систематически). 'Repress' is a specific act of putting down.
- The noun 'repression' (репрессия) is stronger and more political in Russian than the verb often is in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'repress' for 'oppress' (oppress is prolonged, systemic subjugation).
- Confusing 'repress' with 'depress' (make sad).
- Incorrect: 'He repressed his employees with low pay.' (Use 'oppressed').
Practice
Quiz
In a psychoanalytic context, 'repressed' memories are:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Suppress' is broader and often conscious (suppress a cough, suppress news). 'Repress' often implies a deeper, more forceful, or unconscious holding back, especially in psychology.
Rarely. It typically has a negative connotation, implying something unnatural, forceful, or psychologically harmful.
No. It can describe people, emotions, memories, or groups (a repressed minority), and actions by authorities (repress a revolt).
'Repression' (e.g., political repression, memory repression).