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

"In another child, the therapy completely suppressed metabolic crises that occurred almost monthly, while another patient no longer suffered from epileptic seizures."

From Science Daily

And, in fact, it is easier to offer small raises when inflation is higher—which keeps real wage growth suppressed and helps defray some labor cost and reduce the need for mass layoffs.

From Barron's

Supporters of screening also say this method is more humane than requiring DSD athletes to suppress their natural testosterone levels, and will avoid the intense media scrutiny that some athletes have been exposed to.

From BBC

Here, specialized neurons release signals that either trigger or suppress growth hormone.

From Science Daily

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes.

From Literature

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