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

Other Word Forms

• suppressible adjective
• suppressive adjective
• suppressively adverb
• suppressor noun
• suppresser noun
• nonsuppressive adjective
• nonsuppressively adverb
• nonsuppressiveness noun
• presuppress verb (used with object)
• resuppress verb (used with object)
• self-suppressing adjective
• self-suppressive adjective
• unsuppressible adjective
• unsuppressive 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

It’s designed to suppress free speech by labeling the opposition as “extremists” who are a threat to public safety and “the enemy within.”

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In the second half, Cleveland concentrated on defense to suppress any hope Eagle Rock had of a comeback.

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Among the policies of this new regime would be the “death penalty” for an “occult element at the high levels of society, specifically among the Jews,” that is “suppressing” Christianity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The “November effect” refers to the idea that stocks that were suppressed by tax-loss selling in October are supposed to rebound in November as that selling pressure eases.

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Hasina, 78, has defied court orders to return from India to attend her trial on charges of ordering a deadly crackdown in a failed attempt to suppress the student-led uprising.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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