SUPPRESSES Synonyms: 184 Similar and Opposite Words

suppresses

verb

Definition of suppresses next

present tense third-person singular of suppress

as in covers (up)

to keep from being publicly known the government tried to suppress the truth about that incident

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as in stifles

to refrain from openly showing or uttering he managed to suppress a scream at the sight of the dead mouse suppressed her anger

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as in halts

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

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as in quells

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

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as in conceals

to keep secret or shut off from view the defense attorney is openly accusing the prosecutor of attempting to suppress vital evidence

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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 suppresses While El Niño often suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity, major storms can still make landfall. —

Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026 Some stuff just suppresses balls in play, after all. —

Eno Sarris, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026 However well-intentioned, any law that suppresses speech based on viewpoint represents an 'egregious' assault on both of those commitments. —

Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin by up to 80%, delaying sleep onset when viewed within an hour of bedtime and fragmenting deep sleep. —

John La Puma, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 Blue light suppresses melatonin and makes falling back asleep significantly harder. —

Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 This suppresses competition from other vegetation. —

Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026 Mulch conserves moisture, improves water retention, suppresses weed growth, insulates and protects rose roots and enriches the soil with organic matter. —

Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 Light naturally suppresses melatonin, a sleep hormone, and activates your internal clock. —

Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppresses

Verb

Critics say that trademarking the name of a common business model stifles the still-nascent heirloom and specialty beans market — a growing community of companies, farmers and influencers trying to increase consumption of beans, one of the most climate- and health-friendly foods around.

— Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Nothing stifles a good time like being stressed about what is going on at home without any way to intervene.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026