Repression vs Suppression
What’s the difference between them?
Repression
Meaning:
Repression is the act of forcing a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into conscious or unconscious submission, restriction, or inhibition.
Examples:
1. 'The government faced international condemnation for its repression of the peaceful protests, using force to silence the demonstrators.'
2. 'Psychologists often discuss the concept of repression when individuals unconsciously forget or block out painful or unsettling memories.'
3. 'The repression of linguistic and cultural practices in the region led to a loss of traditional knowledge and heritage among the inhabitants.'
Suppression
Meaning:
Suppression is the act of keeping something under control or preventing it from being expressed or communicated.
Examples:
1. 'The fire department was praised for the swift suppression of the blaze, preventing it from spreading to neighboring buildings.'
2. 'The government was accused of suppression of vital health information that was deemed crucial for public awareness and safety.'
3. 'The suppression of evidence in the court case raised questions about the fairness and integrity of the legal proceedings.'
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Repression
subjugation
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Suppression
stifling
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Repression", "Suppression".
1. Repression: 'Repression is pressing a person or a group of people down.'
2. Suppression: 'Suppression is pressing a situation down.'
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the word ‘Repression’?
Repression refers to the act of restraining or limiting a person’s behavior, thoughts, or emotions. It is usually used in psychology to describe a behavior that occurs when a person subconsciously pushes away negative feelings or experiences. Examples of repression include denying a traumatic memory, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or burying feelings of guilt or shame.
When to use the word ‘Suppression’?
Suppression is the use of force to restrain or control an activity, emotion, or thought. It is often used to describe a government or authority’s attempt to censor or restrict public expression or behavior. For example, a government may suppress the free speech of its citizens by punishing those who express unpopular opinions.
Do the words ‘Repression’ and ‘Suppression’ have the same pronunciation?
No, the words ‘Repression’ and ‘Suppression’ have different pronunciations. The word ‘Repression’ is pronounced as /rih-preh-shuhn/, whereas the word ‘Suppression’ is pronounced as /suh-preh-shuhn/.
What are common mistakes associated with the words ‘Repression’ and ‘Suppression’?
The most common mistake with these words is using them interchangeably. While the two words may share a similar definition, they have different nuances. Repression is an unconscious act, while suppression is a conscious and deliberate act. Another mistake is confusing the words with words like ‘oppression’ and ‘depression’, which have similar spellings but completely different meanings.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The government wanted to stop any resistance to its rule, so it imposed a policy of __________.
2. Many people became victims of __________ because of their race, religion or political beliefs.
3. The __________ of democracy in the country led to a rise in protests.
4. Leaders of the opposition party were victims of __________ for their views.
5. __________ of the free press was a major sign of the countrys authoritarian rule.
6. The countrys leaders used __________ to keep a tight grip on power.
1. suppression.
Explanation: Suppression is defined as the action of suppressing or subduing something, in this case resistance.
2. repressions.
Explanation: Repression is defined as the action of suppressing of something, such as peoples rights or freedom, by the use of authority or force.
3. suppression.
Explanation: Suppression is defined as the action of preventing something from developing or being expressed, in this case democracy.
4. repression.
Explanation: Repression is defined as the action of suppressing of something, such as peoples rights or freedom, by the use of authority or force.
5. suppression.
Explanation: Suppression is defined as the action of preventing something from developing or being expressed, in this case the free press.
6. repression.
Explanation: Repression is defined as the action of suppressing of something, such as peoples rights or freedom, by the use of authority or force.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.