English dictionary



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English noun: reaction formation

1. reaction formation (process) (psychiatry) a defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously develops attitudes and behavior that are the opposite of unacceptable repressed desires and impulses and serve to conceal them


SamplesHis strict morality is just a reaction formation to hide his sexual drive.


Broader (hypernym)defence, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defense, defense mechanism, defense reaction


Domain categorypsychiatry, psychological medicine, psychopathology









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