From this point we go on to an even more detailed examination of the concept of repression.
Source: tatoeba (57953)
Repression
Synonyms for "repression" (206 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (42)
aloofnessarrestarrestationarrestmentbackwardnessbamboo curtainbanbarrier of secrecybashfulnessblackoutblanknessblockblockadeblockageblockingbottling upcensorshipcheckchillinesschoking
Show 15 more words
Strong matches (61)
curtaindefense mechanismdelaydenialdespotismdetachmentdetainmentdetentiondeterringdisallowancediscreetnessdiscretiondistancedominationeighteenth amendmentembargoexclusionexpressionlessnessextinctionextinguishment
Show 39 more words
fixationfoot draggingfoot-draggingforbiddanceforbidden fruitforbiddingfrigidityfrostinessfrustratingfrustrationguardednesshamperinghinderinghindranceholdbackholdingholding inholduphush-upicinessimpassivenessimpassivityimpedimentimpersonalityinaccessibilityindexindex expurgatoriusindex librorum prohibitoruminhibitioninjunctioninterdictinterdictioninterdictuminterferenceinterruptionintroversioniron curtainironbound securitykeeping
Noun(2 words)
Related words (103)
Noun(12 words)
killjoysmuzzlingoppressionpersecutionpsychological defenserefusal to recallrestraintrestrictionstultificationsuppressionsuppression of dissenttyrannizing
lawletlimitationlocking inmaintenancemental blockmodestynegativismno nono-nonuisance valueoath of secrecyobstructionobstructionismocclusionofficial secrecyoppositionpallpreclusionprehension
Show 68 more words
preservationpreventionprohibitionprohibition partyprohibitory injunctionproscriptionpsychological blockputting downquashingquellingquenchingrefusalrejectionremotenessreservereservednessresistancerestraintrestrictionrestrictive covenantsretainmentretardationretardmentretentionretentivenessretentivityreticencereticencyretirementruling outseal of secrecysecuritysetbacksmashingsmotheringsquashingsqueezesquelchingstandoffishnessstatutestiflingstrangleholdstranglingstricturesubdualsubduednesssubjugationsublimationsuffocatingsumptuary lawssuppressionsymbolizationtabootenacitythrottlingunaffabilityunapproachabilityuncongenialityundemonstrativenessunexpansivenessveilveil of secrecyvolstead actwithdrawalwithdrawnnesswrapszoningzoning laws
Adjective(2 words)
oppressive regimestate coercion
Verb(1 words)
stifle dissent
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aloofness, antagonisms, arrest, arrestation, arrestment.
- Sentence evidence is available for repression, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "repression".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "repression"
Keep "repression" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "repression" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "repression", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "repression" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriescognitive processcontroldefencedefence mechanismdefence reactiondefensedefense mechanismdefense reactiongovernment actionmental processpsychological processstate powersubjectionsubjugation
More specific
9 entriesarbitrary detentioncensorshipemotional suppressionimpulse controlmemory repressionmemory suppressionselective forgettingsuppression of dissenttraumatic memory repression
Collocations
6 entriescultural repressionemotional repressionmass repressionpolitical repressionrepression of memorystate repression
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
6 entriesSample sentences
11 total sentences available.
You assume we are all sexually stable; while on the other hand, as I have become acquainted with people, I find that they are all perverted sinners, one way or another, that the whole society is corrupt and rotten and repressed and unconscious that it exhibits its repression in various forms of social sadism.
Source: tatoeba (413866)
The seed of revolution is repression.
Source: tatoeba (1142121)
Some of them were and are in constant danger due to political repression and persecution.
Source: tatoeba (3499713)
Showing 4 of 11 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "repression"?
Closest matches include aloofness, antagonisms, arrest, arrestation, arrestment.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "repression"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.