Repression/rɪˈpreʃn/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/2Emotional Masking Used when someone hides their emotions, often deliberately. Despite the sorrow, he spoke with cheerful repression at the funeral. Pro Tip 2/2Not Physical 'Repression' deals with emotions or thoughts, not physical objects. Even though she smiled, you could feel the repression of her frustration.