suppress

[ suh-pres ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.):

   to suppress the Communist and certain left-leaning parties.

2. to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.).
3. to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.).
4. to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.).
5. to stop or arrest (a flow, hemorrhage, cough, etc.).
6. to vanquish or subdue (a revolt, rebellion, etc.); quell; crush.
7. Genetics. to keep (a gene) from being expressed:

   Let's say that future genetic engineers discover a gene for suicidal depression, and learn how to suppress the gene or adjust it.

8. Electricity. to reduce or eliminate (an irregular or undesired oscillation or frequency) in a circuit.

suppress

/ səˈprɛs /

verb

1. to put an end to; prohibit
2. to hold in check; restrain

   I was obliged to suppress a smile

3. to withhold from circulation or publication

   to suppress seditious pamphlets

4. to stop the activities of; crush

   to suppress a rebellion

5. electronics
   1. to reduce or eliminate (unwanted oscillations) in a circuit
   2. to eliminate (a particular frequency or group of frequencies) in a signal
6. psychiatry
   1. to resist consciously (an idea or a desire entering one's mind)
   2. to exercise self-control by preventing the expression of (certain desires) Compare repress

Derived Forms

• supˈpresser, noun
• supˈpressible, adjective

Other Words From

• sup·press·i·ble adjective
• sup·pres·sive adjective
• sup·pres·sive·ly adverb
• sup·pres·sor sup·press·er noun
• non·sup·pres·sive adjective
• non·sup·pres·sive·ly adverb
• non·sup·pres·sive·ness noun
• pre·sup·press verb (used with object)
• re·sup·press verb (used with object)
• self-sup·press·ing adjective
• self-sup·pres·sive adjective
• un·sup·press·i·ble adjective
• un·sup·pres·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppress¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English suppressen, from Latin suppressus (past participle of supprimere “to press down”), equivalent to sup- sup- + pressus ( press ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppress¹

C14: from Latin suppressus held down, from supprimere to restrain, from sub- down + premere to press

Example Sentences

Hysteria in women, another excuse to suppress their sexuality, became shell-shock for men.

From Washington Post

The goal of eliminating every smallpox case in the world, rather than just suppressing the virus, sounded implausibly lofty.

From Vox

In December, The Post revealed a series of Huawei-linked surveillance products that were marketed as being able to suppress potential protests or predict individuals’ ethnicities.

From Washington Post

Efficacy is a consideration for patients whose underlying cancer or treatment suppresses their immune systems.

From Washington Post

In the movie, Wendy tells us the drug “suppressed my appetite and gave me all the chemical courage I thought I needed.”

From Washington Post

Ironic, since it was originally meant to suppress sugar lust.

From The Daily Beast

But not even the threat of death can suppress the urge to live vicariously through Jack Dawson and James Bond.

From The Daily Beast

And, according to some research, higher insulin levels have been shown to suppress fat metabolism by up to 22 percent.

From The Daily Beast

The AG and his allies have claimed that voter ID laws suppress black votes.

From The Daily Beast

In the 21st century, however, we suppress the magic of it and succumb to the fear of it.

From The Daily Beast

I do not know how things are in America but in England there has been a ridiculous attempt to suppress Bolshevik propaganda.

From Project Gutenberg

A cry I was quite unable to suppress escaped me, and the creature turned on the instant and stared at me with baleful eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot suppress the sharp reply that springs to my lips: "The low servant girl is as good as you."

From Project Gutenberg

I could die now, but they would suppress my explanation, and the People thus remain ignorant of my aim and purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppress with a single blow all the poetry in verse, or else speak with esteem of those who possess the secrets.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• censor
• conceal
• contain
• cover up
• crack down on
• crush
• curb
• cut off
• muzzle
• overcome
• overthrow
• put an end to
• put down
• quash
• quell
• quench
• repress
• silence
• snuff out