suppress

American  

[suh-pres] / səˈprɛs /

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.

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suppress British  

/ 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

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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

The names of Tarrant's current lawyers have been suppressed by the court.

From Barron's

These cells suppress powerful immune defenders, especially CD8+ T cells that are known for their cancer-fighting abilities.

From Science Daily

A couple of other mates glanced at me with suppressed grins.

From Literature

That suppressed mortgage rates and government borrowing costs for a time while driving investors into higher-yielding assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

“On a personal level, to say, ‘I want, I want, I want,’ people may feel that, but we are taught that good manners is to suppress such immodest cravings.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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