Synonyms of suppress

suppress

verb

sə-ˈpres 

1

as in to stifle

to keep from being publicly known

the government tried to suppress the truth about that incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stifle
• censor
• cover (up)
• silence
• hush (up)
• quash
• throttle
• repress
• muzzle
• burke
• squelch
• strangle
• squash
• smother
• gag
• spike
• black out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reveal
• expose
• uncover
• unmask
• disclose
• tell
• show up
• divulge
• debunk
• spill
• unveil
• publish
• spread
• circulate
• uncloak
• broadcast
• relate
• describe
• report
• blab
• recite
• narrate
• recount
• rehearse

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

• stifle
• swallow
• repress
• contain
• smother
• control
• choke (back)
• manage
• hold back
• strangle
• submerge
• quash
• quell
• pocket
• govern
• curb
• sink
• check
• muffle
• squelch
• bridle
• bottle up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• express
• release
• take out
• unleash
• vent
• loose

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

• halt
• diminish
• stop
• shrink
• block
• catch
• stay
• impede
• stem
• stall
• obstruct
• stunt
• dwarf
• check
• arrest
• hold back
• hold up
• still
• balk
• downsize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• encourage
• forward
• advance
• foster
• boost
• nurture
• nourish

4

as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force

nothing could suppress the rising tide of protest against the dictator's latest injustices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quell
• subdue
• repress
• quash
• stifle
• squelch
• destroy
• crush
• overcome
• silence
• extinguish
• sit on
• crack down (on)
• squash
• snuff (out)
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• slap down
• quench
• demolish
• throttle
• obliterate
• smother
• dominate
• ruin
• decimate
• annihilate
• douse
• exterminate
• strangle
• subjugate
• wipe out
• put out
• overwhelm
• conquer
• vanquish
• overpower
• devastate
• wreck
• desolate
• smash
• waste
• nuke
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• support
• aid
• back
• provoke
• stir
• promote
• encourage
• abet
• incite
• forward
• prop up
• cultivate
• foster
• advance
• foment
• instigate
• further
• nurture
• whip (up)
• nourish

5

as in to conceal

to keep secret or shut off from view

the defense attorney is openly accusing the prosecutor of attempting to suppress vital evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conceal
• hide
• obscure
• cover
• disguise
• mask
• cloak
• blot out
• veil
• overshadow
• curtain
• block
• bury
• occult
• belie
• paper over
• blanket
• screen
• smother
• enshroud
• shroud
• camouflage
• obstruct
• cover (up)
• occlude
• darken
• whitewash
• gloss (over)
• gild
• shade
• eclipse
• varnish
• becloud
• overcast
• cloud
• bedim
• befog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• show
• disclose
• reveal
• expose
• display
• uncover
• divulge
• present
• unveil
• bare
• unmask
• bring out
• clarify
• uncloak
• illuminate
• publish
• advertise
• spread
• proclaim
• publicize
• get out
• broadcast
• air

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suppress

It’s made with green tea to provide energy while suppressing your appetite, and goji berry to help your immune system. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Firefighters immediately began suppressing the fire, which needed additional water and foam because of how heavy the flames were, according to fire officials. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026

But the uncertainties were suppressed as Fauci and others pushed the natural origins of Covid to the public. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Public health authorities would have the tools to integrate scientific and intelligence data to suppress the disease’s spread. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026