1
as in silencing
to keep from being publicly known
the government tried to suppress the truth about that incident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifling
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 halting
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
as in quelling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in concealing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suppressing
The big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, for example, uses ice-bath plunges to rehearse suppressing panic and practice self-calming.
—
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
But Vance’s false accusations at last year’s conference – that Europe is suppressing freedom of speech and democracy, and facing civilizational decline – are now enshrined in US national security strategy.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The first half of the year has been devoted to suppressing the opponent, through playing veterans over youth and using low-percentage offensive strategies like the stretch pass.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The royal government was also known as a dictatorship for banning political parties, suppressing revolts and political opposition, controlling the press and having its own secret police force called SAVAK.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Firefighters entered the home and began suppressing flames that were found in the basement, according to Hart.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Florida is still showing a knack for suppressing shots but more high-danger chances are slipping past.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Food manufacturers like PepsiCo are also contending with the impact of appetite-suppressing weight-loss drugs, which are hurting demand for snacks.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The nerves that Landfair had been suppressing only show as the interview winds down, letting out a relieved and shaky breath after answering the last question.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
But Vance’s false accusations at last year’s conference – that Europe is suppressing freedom of speech and democracy, and facing civilizational decline – are now enshrined in US national security strategy.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The first half of the year has been devoted to suppressing the opponent, through playing veterans over youth and using low-percentage offensive strategies like the stretch pass.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The royal government was also known as a dictatorship for banning political parties, suppressing revolts and political opposition, controlling the press and having its own secret police force called SAVAK.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Firefighters entered the home and began suppressing flames that were found in the basement, according to Hart.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Florida is still showing a knack for suppressing shots but more high-danger chances are slipping past.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Food manufacturers like PepsiCo are also contending with the impact of appetite-suppressing weight-loss drugs, which are hurting demand for snacks.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The nerves that Landfair had been suppressing only show as the interview winds down, letting out a relieved and shaky breath after answering the last question.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppressing
Verb
-
This is not about silencing disagreement.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Russia has massively ramped up a campaign of silencing critics since launching its offensive on Ukraine in 2022.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The soul singer left the stifling Mississippi heat for cool Minneapolis in 1955.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Expanding your team, shouldering more projects, and growing your office space may seem like natural progressions for a successful studio—but AD100 designer Miles Redd believes that accruing too much overhead can actually be stifling.—
AD PRO,
Architectural Digest,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the plaintiffs want a temporary restraining order halting further development of Beall’s property.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Gage Lattimore scored 21 points and North Carolina Central beat Morgan State 80-76 on Monday night, halting the Bears' six-game winning streak.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a statement broadcast by state TV, a security force known for quelling unrest accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
-
This potency can be a good thing for quelling inflammation—but also calls for caution.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Deeann Bennett, 27, and Charles Bennett, 32, both of Booneville, were charged with reckless homicide and concealing the birth of an infant.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Plaintiffs also accuse the companies of failing to warn users about the risks of using their products and of deliberately concealing their dangers.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disease that affects body movements, walking and balance, eye movements and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
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Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder that impacts walking, balance, eye movement and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All there is to do, sometimes, is know in your heart of hearts that a nuanced piece of literature and a provocative and deviant piece of pop culture can exist alongside each other without one diminishing the other.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Multiple officers were involved in subduing Guity and placing him in handcuffs, police said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
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As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suppressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suppressing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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