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

Debug uses what's called the suppression method. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 June 2026

The state then appealed the judge’s suppression order, and now the Supreme Judicial Court has reversed the lower-court ruling. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026

This was a radical statement at a time when unions often faced violent suppression from employers and police. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 May 2026

Alongside David, another person, who has interim name suppression, was also accused of locking Norman in a room for up to 16 hours a day, according to the New Zealand Herald. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 May 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