suppress

verb

sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
suppressed; suppressing; suppresses

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
3
a
: to exclude from consciousness
b
: to keep from giving vent to : check
suppressed her anger
4
obsolete : to press down
5
a
: 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
suppressibility noun
suppressible adjective
suppressive adjective
suppressiveness noun

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 Not only does azolla provide lots of free nitrogen, but the plant cover helps suppress weeds and reduces the emission of methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. Matt Simon, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 Most people on flights are absorbed into their own movies, books or podcasts and unlikely to notice if someone sheds a tear or suppresses a sob while huddled up in their own seat. Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 Sensing an opportunity, the Russian air force is flying more sorties, closer to the front line, lobbing glide-bombs to suppress Ukrainian troops. David Axe, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The economic crisis suppressed revenues across the board, but especially from two of the tax system’s most progressive components: individual and corporate income taxes. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Though there are some differences between the two laws, both essentially limit the ability of large online platforms to curate or ban content on their sites, seeking to fight what lawmakers claim are rules that suppress conservative speech. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 23 Feb. 2024 People try to avoid them, suppress them or ignore them. Heather Lench, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2024 The measure allows federal prosecution of those who suppress another's right to vote. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Organized crime not only suppresses economic growth in Latin America. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suppress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin suppressus, past participle of supprimere, from sub- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppress was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near suppress

Cite this Entry

“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suppress

verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
1
: to put down by authority or force
suppress a rebellion
2
a
: to keep from being known
tried to suppress the news
b
: to stop the publication or distribution of
suppressed the test results
3
: to hold back : repress
suppress feelings of jealousy
suppressed a cough
4
: to slow or stop the growth or development of : stunt
suppressible adjective
suppression
-ˈpresh-ən
noun
suppressive adjective
suppressor
-ˈpres-ər
noun

Medical Definition

suppress

transitive verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
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 responseJosie Glausiusz
especially : to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
suppressibility noun
plural suppressibilities
suppressible adjective

Legal Definition

suppress

transitive verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
1
: to put down by authority or force
2
a
: to keep secret
b
: to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of
3
a
: 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
suppressible adjective
suppression noun

More from Merriam-Webster on suppress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!