repressen

Repressen is a Dutch verb meaning to repress, suppress, or curb something, typically through deliberate or forceful action. It is used for both abstract and concrete objects: the repression of information or dissent by authorities, the repression of emotions or memories in psychology, or the suppression of biological processes in scientific contexts. The nuance often implies an active or external effort to keep something from appearing or developing.

The term is a loanword in Dutch derived from the Latin reprimere, via French réprimer and English repress. It is cognate with related forms in other Germanic and Romance languages and is found in technical and academic discourse as well as in journalism and political debate. The common noun form is repressie; related adjectives include repressief, and the verb is sometimes contrasted with onderdrukken as a broader synonym.

In usage, repressen tends to carry a more formal or technical connotation than everyday terms such as onderdrukken, censureren, or verhinderen. It is often used in contexts such as government policies, state security, or clinical psychology when referring to the act of keeping impulses or memories from becoming conscious. In cultural or critical discourse, discussions of repression may address its social, ethical, and psychological implications.