Synonyms of suppress

suppress

verb

sə-ˈpres 

1

as in to stifle

to keep from being publicly known

the government tried to suppress the truth about that incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stifle
• censor
• cover (up)
• silence
• hush (up)
• quash
• throttle
• repress
• muzzle
• burke
• squelch
• strangle
• squash
• smother
• gag
• spike
• black out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reveal
• expose
• uncover
• unmask
• disclose
• tell
• show up
• divulge
• debunk
• spill
• unveil
• publish
• spread
• circulate
• uncloak
• broadcast
• relate
• describe
• report
• blab
• recite
• narrate
• recount
• rehearse

2

as in to swallow

to refrain from openly showing or uttering

he managed to suppress a scream at the sight of the dead mouse

suppressed her anger

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stifle
• swallow
• repress
• contain
• smother
• control
• choke (back)
• manage
• hold back
• strangle
• submerge
• quash
• quell
• pocket
• govern
• curb
• sink
• check
• muffle
• squelch
• bridle
• bottle up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• express
• release
• take out
• unleash
• vent
• loose

3

as in to halt

to hold back the normal growth of

pruning helps suppress buds at the ends of developed branches and encourages new growth elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• diminish
• stop
• shrink
• block
• catch
• stay
• impede
• stem
• stall
• obstruct
• stunt
• dwarf
• check
• arrest
• hold back
• hold up
• still
• balk
• downsize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• encourage
• forward
• advance
• foster
• boost
• nurture
• nourish

4

as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force

nothing could suppress the rising tide of protest against the dictator's latest injustices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quell
• subdue
• repress
• quash
• stifle
• squelch
• destroy
• crush
• overcome
• silence
• extinguish
• sit on
• crack down (on)
• squash
• snuff (out)
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• slap down
• quench
• demolish
• throttle
• obliterate
• smother
• dominate
• ruin
• decimate
• annihilate
• douse
• exterminate
• strangle
• subjugate
• wipe out
• put out
• overwhelm
• conquer
• vanquish
• overpower
• devastate
• wreck
• desolate
• smash
• waste
• nuke
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• support
• aid
• back
• provoke
• stir
• promote
• encourage
• abet
• incite
• forward
• prop up
• cultivate
• foster
• advance
• foment
• instigate
• further
• nurture
• whip (up)
• nourish

5

as in to conceal

to keep secret or shut off from view

the defense attorney is openly accusing the prosecutor of attempting to suppress vital evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conceal
• hide
• obscure
• cover
• disguise
• mask
• cloak
• blot out
• veil
• overshadow
• curtain
• block
• bury
• occult
• belie
• paper over
• blanket
• screen
• smother
• enshroud
• shroud
• camouflage
• obstruct
• cover (up)
• occlude
• darken
• whitewash
• gloss (over)
• gild
• shade
• eclipse
• varnish
• becloud
• overcast
• cloud
• bedim
• befog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• show
• disclose
• reveal
• expose
• display
• uncover
• divulge
• present
• unveil
• bare
• unmask
• bring out
• clarify
• uncloak
• illuminate
• publish
• advertise
• spread
• proclaim
• publicize
• get out
• broadcast
• air

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suppress

The company and the NFL scored three legal wins this week in the Southern District of New York, with judges dismissing lawsuits accusing the online retailer and the football league of illegally conspiring to suppress competition. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The interviewer, suppressing a laugh, notes that his daughter has entered his office. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

Victim's husband was potential suspect Carter's defense attorneys have said witnesses saw a White man fleeing the crime scene and an investigator suppressed evidence pointing to other suspects, including the victim's husband, Orla Olesen. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

This suppresses the turbulence, so the shark can swim quickly and smoothly. — New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026