suppress
[suh-pres]
- to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.): to suppress the Communist and certain left-leaning parties.
- to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.).
- to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.).
- to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.).
- to stop or arrest (a flow, hemorrhage, cough, etc.).
- to vanquish or subdue (a revolt, rebellion, etc.); quell; crush.
- Electricity. to reduce or eliminate (an irregular or undesired oscillation or frequency) in a circuit.
Origin of suppress
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for suppress
Contemporary Examples
Ironic, since it was originally meant to suppress sugar lust.
But not even the threat of death can suppress the urge to live vicariously through Jack Dawson and James Bond.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit KingdomLizzie Crocker
December 22, 2014
And, according to some research, higher insulin levels have been shown to suppress fat metabolism by up to 22 percent.
In the 21st century, however, we suppress the magic of it and succumb to the fear of it.
Higher Israeli authorities are trying to suppress vigilantism.
Historical Examples
Linda tried hard but she could not suppress a chuckle: "Of course you would!"
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
Isabel could not at once suppress the gratified note which crept of itself into her voice.
Tiverton TalesAlice Brown
I am not only to suppress the evil, but to evoke the good elements in my nature.
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
This growl he could not suppress; nor did the man-animal resent it by giving him a blow on the head.
White FangJack London
You must suppress your gratitude, and endeavour to forget my forbearance in the matter of the bracelet.
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
suppress
- to put an end to; prohibit
- to hold in check; restrainI was obliged to suppress a smile
- to withhold from circulation or publicationto suppress seditious pamphlets
- to stop the activities of; crushto suppress a rebellion
- electronics
- to reduce or eliminate (unwanted oscillations) in a circuit
- to eliminate (a particular frequency or group of frequencies) in a signal
- psychiatry
- to resist consciously (an idea or a desire entering one's mind)
- to exercise self-control by preventing the expression of (certain desires)Compare repress (def. 3)
Word Origin
C14: from Latin suppressus held down, from supprimere to restrain, from sub- down + premere to press
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for suppress
v.
late 14c., "to put down by force or authority," from Latin suppressus, past participle of supprimere "press down, stop, check, stifle," from sub "down, under" (see sub-) + premere "push against" (see press (v.1)). Sense of "prevent or prohibit the circulation of" is from 1550s. Related: Suppressed; suppressing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
suppress
(sə-prĕs′)
- To curtail or inhibit the activity of something, such as the immune system.
- To deliberately exclude unacceptable desires or thoughts from the mind.
- To reduce the incidence or severity of a condition or symptom, such as a hemorrhage.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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