suppress

verb

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sup·press | \ sə-ˈpres

suppressed; suppressing; suppresses

Definition of suppress

transitive verb

1 : to put down by authority or force : subdue suppress a riot

2 : to keep from public knowledge: such as

a : to keep secret

b : to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of suppress the test results

3a : to exclude from consciousness

b : to keep from giving vent to : check suppressed her anger

4 obsolete : to press down

5a : to restrain from a usual course or action suppress a cough

b : to inhibit the growth or development of

6 : to inhibit the genetic expression of suppress a mutation

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Examples of suppress in a Sentence

Political dissent was brutally suppressed. The governor tried to suppress the news. He struggled to suppress his feelings of jealousy. She could not suppress her anger. I had to suppress an urge to tell him what I really thought.

Recent Examples on the Web Social media has become the arbiter of allowable discussion, while universities intimidate and suppress the free exchange of ideas necessary to uncover scientific truths. — Scott W. Atlas, WSJ, "A Pandemic of Misinformation," 21 Dec. 2020 However, Cuzzo said the two sheriff's deputies were within their rights to conduct the searches and denied the defense's motions to suppress the evidence and dismiss the two counts. — Paul Walsh, Star Tribune, "Judge backs searches of 'Miracle on Ice' hockey star Mark Pavelich's home after alleged assault," 17 Dec. 2020 Fentanyl is more likely even than prescription opioids to suppress breathing and cause death when taken in uncontrolled concentrations by unsuspecting users or by users whose opioid tolerance has not been heightened by long-term use. — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, "Jeff Grosso autopsy reveals fentanyl played role in legendary skateboarder’s death," 17 Dec. 2020 The police saw it too; and, not surprisingly, attempted to use violence to silence, suppress and intimidate the movement in hopes of getting protestors off the streets. — Katie Bain, Billboard, "How Inner City's New Music Video Honored Detroit's Techno History & Current Protests," 14 Dec. 2020 On contact with the enemy, the unit establishes a base of fire with one section to suppress the enemy and tie them down into one place. — Angry Staff Officer, Wired, "Hold Everything: Stormtroopers Have Discovered Tactics," 9 Dec. 2020 Incumbents resort to state violence and tribal militia to suppress protests and retain power as was the case in 2007, 2013, and 2017 when elections were contested. — Westen K Shilaho, Quartz Africa, "Kenyans should reject the latest round of proposed constitutional changes," 7 Dec. 2020 Chinese officials are developing high-tech mechanisms to monitor and suppress religious believers as an alternative to physical detention camps, according to a senior United States diplomat. — Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, "China will replace concentration camps with high-tech oppression, US diplomat warns," 17 Nov. 2020 In some cases, Mr. Biden and his advisers deliberately opted to suppress rather than resolve Democratic disagreements until after the election. — Jonathan Martin, New York Times, "How Joe Biden Won the Presidency," 7 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suppress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for suppress

suppress

verb

English Language Learners Definition of suppress

: to end or stop (something) by force

: to keep (something) secret : to not allow people to know about or see (something)

: to not allow yourself to feel, show, or be affected by (an emotion)

See the full definition for suppress in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suppress

verb

sup·press | \ sə-ˈpres

suppressed; suppressing

Kids Definition of suppress

1 : to put down (as by authority or force) : subdue Police suppressed a riot.

2 : to hold back : repress The girls could hardly suppress a smile.

suppress

transitive verb

sup·press | \ sə-ˈpres

Medical Definition of suppress

1 : to exclude from consciousness suppressed anxiety

2 : to restrain from a usual course or action suppress a cough

3 : inhibit sense 2 suppresses the human immune response— Josie Glausiusz especially : to inhibit the genetic expression of suppress a mutation

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suppress

transitive verb

sup·press | \ sə-ˈpres

Legal Definition of suppress

1 : to put down by authority or force

2a : to keep secret

b : to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of

3a : to exclude (illegally obtained evidence) from use at trial suppress narcotics found in violation of the right against unreasonable search and seizure

b : to fail to disclose (material evidence favorable to a defendant) in violation of due process accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence — compare brady material

intransitive verb

: to suppress evidence