noun
Uncommon
suppression
suh-PREH-shuhn
Suppression (noun) means the act of forcefully putting an end to something. Example: “The suppression of the protests drew international criticism.”
noun
1
The act of forcefully putting an end to something.
"The suppression of the protests drew international criticism."
"Fire suppression systems kicked in automatically."
"Firefighters worked on the suppression of the blaze for several hours."
2
The conscious act of pushing away unwanted thoughts or feelings.
"Years of emotional suppression eventually took a toll on him."
"The therapist explained that suppression of anger rarely makes it disappear."
"Her suppression of grief at the funeral left her exhausted afterwards."
How to use suppression
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of forcibly stopping something, or of consciously pushing down thoughts and feelings.
Common pairings
fire suppression
emotional suppression
suppression of dissent
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Word forms
- Plural
- suppressions
Fill the gap
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The _____ of the protests drew international criticism.
Etymology
From Latin suppressio, from supprimere ("to press down").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for suppression
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for suppression →
Frequently asked questions
What does “suppression” mean?
The word “suppression” means the act of forcefully putting an end to something. In plain terms, the act of forcibly stopping something, or of consciously pushing down thoughts and feelings.
How do you pronounce “suppression”?
“Suppression” is pronounced suh-PREH-shuhn (/səˈpɹɛʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “suppression” in a sentence?
Here is “suppression” used in a sentence: “The suppression of the protests drew international criticism.”
What part of speech is “suppression”?
“Suppression” is a noun.
Where does the word “suppression” come from?
The word “suppression” comes from Latin. From Latin suppressio, from supprimere ("to press down").
Is “suppression” a common word?
“Suppression” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “suppression” have?
“Suppression” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of forcefully putting an end to something.
What is the difference between suppression and repression?
Suppression usually refers to a conscious, deliberate act of pushing away unwanted thoughts or feelings, or forcefully putting an end to something. Repression, in psychological usage, refers to an unconscious process of burying thoughts or feelings without awareness. Suppression is the more general term and also applies outside emotional contexts, such as the suppression of a rebellion.
How is suppression used differently in psychology versus politics?
In psychology, suppression describes the conscious act of pushing away unwanted thoughts or feelings. In political or social contexts, it describes forcefully putting an end to something, such as a protest, uprising, or dissenting speech. Both senses share the idea of actively stopping something from continuing or surfacing.
What is a common phrase using suppression?
Common phrases include suppression of evidence, suppression of a revolt, and emotional suppression, each reflecting one of its two core senses: forcefully ending something or consciously pushing away feelings.
