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

• 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

Fire is part of the West’s natural cycle, but climate change and decades of suppression have made today’s fires hotter and more destructive. —Tracy Stone-Manning, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025

For years, social media users, especially those from marginalized communities, have highlighted patterns of suppression online. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

In the past, this immune suppression was done with steroids like prednisone. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Voters and leaders of all backgrounds must unite to reject this dangerous attempt at voter suppression. —Martin Luther King, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

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