To repress a feeling, memory, or desire means to push it down and stop it from showing, often without even realizing you are doing it. 'Repressed' describes someone whose feelings are held in and rarely shown, or a memory that has been pushed so deep it feels forgotten (a 'repressed memory'). It is also used for a group of people whose freedom or rights are held down by force — a repressed population is one that is not allowed to speak or act freely. It is a serious word, common in psychology and politics.