reaction formation

NOUN

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

Top Definitions Examples

Enhance Your English Writing Skills

Fix common errors and boost your confidence in every sentence.

Get started
for free

Linguix pencil

How To Use reaction formation In A Sentence

Denial, displacement, intellectualization, fantasy, compensation, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, regression, repression and sublimation were the defense mechanisms Freud identified.
his strict morality is just a reaction formation to hide his sexual drive
His strict morality is just a reaction formation to hide his sexual drive.

View all