suppress
suh-PREHS
Suppress (verb) means to forcibly put an end to something, such as a rebellion or protest. Example: “Troops were sent in to suppress the uprising.”
verb
1
To forcibly put an end to something, such as a rebellion or protest.
"Troops were sent in to suppress the uprising."
"The regime suppressed all forms of dissent."
"Police moved quickly to suppress the riot before it could spread to other streets."
2
To hold back an emotion or reaction.
"She struggled to suppress a laugh during the ceremony."
"He suppressed his anger and stayed calm."
"I tried hard to suppress my nerves before walking on stage."
3
To prevent something from being published or made known.
"The company tried to suppress the leaked report."
"The council tried to suppress the findings so nobody would read them."
"Some editors were pressured to suppress the story before it reached the public."
How to use suppress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo forcefully stop, hold back, or prevent something from surfacing — whether it's a rebellion, a laugh, or a piece of news.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
suppress a rebellion
suppress emotions
suppress evidence
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- suppresses
- Past tense
- suppressed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Troops were sent in to _____ the uprising.
Etymology
From Latin suppressus, from supprimere ("to press down"), from sub- ("under") + premere ("to press").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “suppress” mean?
The word “suppress” means to forcibly put an end to something, such as a rebellion or protest. In plain terms, to forcefully stop, hold back, or prevent something from surfacing — whether it's a rebellion, a laugh, or a piece of news.
How do you pronounce “suppress”?
“Suppress” is pronounced suh-PREHS (/səˈpɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “suppress” in a sentence?
Here is “suppress” used in a sentence: “Troops were sent in to suppress the uprising.”
What part of speech is “suppress”?
“Suppress” is a verb.
Where does the word “suppress” come from?
The word “suppress” comes from Latin. From Latin suppressus, from supprimere ("to press down"), from sub- ("under") + premere ("to press").
Is “suppress” a common word?
“Suppress” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “suppress” have?
“Suppress” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to forcibly put an end to something, such as a rebellion or protest.
What is the difference between suppress and repress?
Suppress typically describes a conscious, deliberate act of holding back a feeling, reaction, or piece of information. Repress is more often used for an unconscious psychological process of pushing thoughts or feelings out of awareness. Suppress is the broader, more general term and also applies to stopping rebellions or preventing publication.
Can suppress be used for both emotions and information?
Yes. Suppress can describe holding back an emotion or reaction, forcibly ending something like a rebellion or protest, or preventing information from being published or made known. The common thread is stopping something from being expressed or continuing.
What is a common collocation with suppress?
Suppress commonly pairs with words like emotion, laughter, evidence, rebellion, and appetite, reflecting its three core uses: holding back feelings, ending unrest, and preventing disclosure.
