immunosuppress

[im-yuh-noh-suh-pres, ih-myoo-]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to suppress the normal immune response.

Word History and Origins

Origin of immunosuppress¹

1965–70; back formation from immunosuppression or immunosuppressive

Example Sentences

“They’re transplanted because they have a serious problem. Then you’re going to immunosuppress them. And if we have an effective way to minimize the risk of them getting a serious infection on top of that, it’s irresponsible to not take care of that — to not do that.”

Read more on Washington Post

Both groups’ results suggest that the first wave of phages that attempt infection succumb to CRISPR–Cas defences but manage to deliver anti-CRISPR proteins that immunosuppress the bacterial cell.

Read more on Nature

"We all thought we didn't have to immunosuppress her."

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

When To Use

What does immunosuppress mean?

Immunosuppress is a verb that means to suppress or weaken the body’s immune system,  as in The surgeon immunosuppressed the patient so the body wouldn’t reject the transplanted kidney.The body’s immune system is a complex network that protects the body from foreign substances, destroys infections and harmful cells, and removes cellular debris, or the waste that’s left after a cell dies.Because the immune system is the body’s defense against illness, when it is suppressed, you’re more likely to get an infection. A doctor might immunosuppress a patient, though, when the patient is to get a donated organ, for example. By immunosuppressing the patient, the body is more likely to accept the new organ.Example: The doctor was faced with a tough decision about whether to immunosuppress the patient before the surgery.