suppress
Americanverb (used with object)
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to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.).
to suppress the Communist and certain left-leaning parties.
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to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.).
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to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.).
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to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.).
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to stop or arrest (a flow, hemorrhage, cough, etc.).
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to vanquish or subdue (a revolt, rebellion, etc.); quell; crush.
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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.
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Electricity. to reduce or eliminate (an irregular or undesired oscillation or frequency) in a circuit.
verb
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to put an end to; prohibit
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to hold in check; restrain
I was obliged to suppress a smile
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to withhold from circulation or publication
to suppress seditious pamphlets
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to stop the activities of; crush
to suppress a rebellion
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electronics
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to reduce or eliminate (unwanted oscillations) in a circuit
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to eliminate (a particular frequency or group of frequencies) in a signal
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psychiatry
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to resist consciously (an idea or a desire entering one's mind)
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to exercise self-control by preventing the expression of (certain desires) Compare repress
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Other Word Forms
- nonsuppressive adjective
- nonsuppressively adverb
- nonsuppressiveness noun
- presuppress verb (used with object)
- resuppress verb (used with object)
- self-suppressing adjective
- self-suppressive adjective
- suppresser noun
- suppressible adjective
- suppressive adjective
- suppressively adverb
- suppressor noun
- unsuppressible adjective
- unsuppressive adjective
Etymology
Origin of suppress
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 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Investors can take advantage of this dynamic by purchasing shares of quality companies that are getting temporarily suppressed by 2025 tax-related selling pressure.
From MarketWatch
MPs DOM is largely made up of small, biologically accessible molecules that may stimulate or suppress microbial growth, disrupt nutrient cycles, or interact with metals and other pollutants.
From Science Daily
In effect, the laser scatter that usually causes trouble can be used to suppress the unwanted photon emissions.
From Science Daily
The Constitution gives Congress the power “to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.”
From Los Angeles Times
Because of that gap, researchers are searching for other ways tumors suppress the immune system.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
