suppress

Definition of suppressnext
1
2
as in to swallow
to refrain from openly showing or uttering he managed to suppress a scream at the sight of the dead mouse suppressed her anger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to halt
to hold back the normal growth of pruning helps suppress buds at the ends of developed branches and encourages new growth elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suppress Iranian authorities imposed an internet blackout early this year as a means of suppressing the ongoing nationwide demonstrations against the government amid a worsening economic crisis. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026 The actress completely transforms into serial killer Aileen Wuornos, delivering a tour de force as a woman struggling to suppress her violent urges. Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary force subordinate to the IRGC and has played a key role in suppressing protests and enforcing government authority inside Iran. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 15 Mar. 2026 Protests and demonstrations demanding political reform have been ruthlessly suppressed. Ghassan E. El-Eid, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppress
Verb
  • Though some have argued that China’s abundant energy and manufacturing capacity give it an edge in the global AI race, Chinese executives say Washington’s restrictions on sales of the most advanced semiconductors are stifling the country’s AI development.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • But waning financial support, due in part to a animal rights group targeting national sponsors, has shrunk the purse while inflation is stifling young mushers trying to make a go of it.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The hole first appeared in 2008, swallowing oil tanks, trees, telephone poles and several cars.
    Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Jessi, unable to will the earth to swallow her whole, makes a crack about the rain being a bad omen.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Their reserves rallied in the fourth quarter — aided by shaky shooting from Schierman (1-for-8), Hauser (4-for-11) and Pritchard (2-for-11) — forcing Celtics Mazzulla to reinsert Tatum, Brown and Queta to halt their charge.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
  • But neither track has halted the fighting.
    OPE ADETAYO, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Deutsche shares largely mirrored the fortunes of the wider banking sector, which is seeking to quell the fallout of the Middle East conflict.
    Joseph Wilkins,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The format in which the Iranian regime released his statement did little to quell rumors that he could actually have been incapacitated, possibly even left in a coma, in the same strike that killed his father and mother.
    Haley Ott, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Doja’s assistant slips through, gives me the thumbs-up, and ushers me into a dressing room the size of a tennis court, black velvet curtains concealing the walls.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Beyond that, the county has concealed most legal bills from the process — fees paid to outside lawyers and investigators who built the case against Corpus and looked into her counter-accusations — citing attorney-client privilege.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Valerie Bertinelli was censored Wednesday on The View after the actress dropped the F-word during the live telecast.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For generations, the Cuban dictatorship has repressed those who speak out for freedom.
    - Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
  • After surviving a 1981 assassination attempt that paralyzed his right hand, Khamenei served as Iran’s president, brutally repressing dissent.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Waddle’s production diminished the past three years because of myriad factors, including Tagovailoa’s regression, some drops by Waddle and Hill commanding more targets before his September injury last year.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Israel’s indie film industry is diminished, squeezed between endless conflict, global boycotts over Gaza and defunding threats from the country’s right-wing government, and hopes are slim for a presence in Cannes this year.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suppress. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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