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

Ministers said they were concerned that rent caps on those properties could suppress housebuilding.

From BBC

You never know when a country might want to suppress art expressing a critical opinion.

From Los Angeles Times

It was brutally suppressed by the British leaving about 10% of the adult male Arab Palestinian population killed, wounded, imprisoned or exiled, according to one estimate.

From BBC

A merged entity with more market power can suppress dissenting voices more effectively, or demand greater deference in exchange for carriage.

From Salon

After his arrest at the airport last year, Cameron's identity was suppressed due to a reporting ban.

From BBC

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