French Conversation · Level 72
58 words
French word
répression
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁepʁesjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounrepression
Example
La répression policière a été violente pendant la manifestation.
Police repression was violent during the demonstration.
More examples
La répression politique a suscité des protestations internationales.
Political repression sparked international protests.
Core concept
An official hand pressing behavior or ideas down through force, restriction, or punishment.
Common phrases
répression policière
police repression
répression politique
political repression
répression brutale
brutal repression
Similar words
oppression: Ongoing unjust treatment that makes people's freedom and daily lives difficult.
violence: Physical harm or the use of force against people or things.
sanction: A punishment or official measure imposed for breaking a rule.
contrôle: Managing behavior or information through monitoring and restrictions.
Definition in French
Action de sanctionner, restreindre ou punir des comportements ou des idées par des moyens juridiques, administratifs ou policiers.
Word origin
French répression comes from Latin repressio and reprimere, meaning 'press back', which developed into restraint or punishment.
Usage tips
- In French political contexts, répression usually names coercive action by authorities, while English repression also commonly refers to psychological suppression.
Other meanings
- suppressionnoun
- crackdownnoun
Opposites
- libérationliberationnoun
- libertéfreedomnoun
Related words
- réprimerrepressverb
- répressifrepressiveadjective