suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpre-shən 

1

: an act or instance of suppressing : the state of being suppressed

2

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling

Synonyms of suppression

• restraint
• repression
• discipline
• inhibition

Examples of suppression in a Sentence

learned that suppression of her angry feelings didn't necessarily make them go away

Recent Examples on the Web

Following an outcry over potential suppression, YouTube and Meta are changing direction on an ad for an Elon Musk documentary. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

This asterisk notation is a result of strict data suppression rules enforced by NCHS for protecting the confidentiality of the decedent. — Denys T. Lau, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026

Once Spencer was killed and the area was declared safe, Cal Fire crews moved in and began suppression efforts. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

These unspool in the form of action scenes where the stakes aren’t just personal safety, but the larger ideals of a nation under political suppression. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for suppression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Medical Definition

suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpresh-ən 

: an act or instance of suppressing: as

a

: stoppage of a bodily function or a symptom

suppression of urine secretion

suppression of a cough

b

: the failure of development of a bodily part or organ

c

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling compare repression sense 2a