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
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 suppressing
The variable nobody can control Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, is raising volatility in rates and suppressing demand worldwide.
—
Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
In many cases, survival required suppressing fear, sadness and even physical pain.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Anyone can get Vibrio, but those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medicine to decrease stomach acid or having recently had stomach surgery are at high risk of severe complications.
—Eva Flowe
may 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The task force — which included numerous Cabinet secretaries — didn't accuse the Biden administration of any large pattern of suppressing churches themselves or the right to worship.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
By reducing interfacial resistance and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites, the technology addresses a primary mechanical barrier to the commercial use of lithium metal anodes.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Refresh Garden Beds Over time, organic mulch breaks down and becomes less effective at retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, and protecting roots from temperature fluctuations.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
The drug has already taught the field that powerfully suppressing this key cancer driver actually works.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
By suppressing appetite, the body can direct more energy toward the immune response.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
In many cases, survival required suppressing fear, sadness and even physical pain.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Anyone can get Vibrio, but those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medicine to decrease stomach acid or having recently had stomach surgery are at high risk of severe complications.
—Eva Flowe
may 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The task force — which included numerous Cabinet secretaries — didn't accuse the Biden administration of any large pattern of suppressing churches themselves or the right to worship.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
By reducing interfacial resistance and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites, the technology addresses a primary mechanical barrier to the commercial use of lithium metal anodes.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Refresh Garden Beds Over time, organic mulch breaks down and becomes less effective at retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, and protecting roots from temperature fluctuations.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
The drug has already taught the field that powerfully suppressing this key cancer driver actually works.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
By suppressing appetite, the body can direct more energy toward the immune response.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppressing
Verb
-
The justices recognized that Colorado had crossed a constitutional line by favoring one set of ideas while silencing another.—
Jeffrey S. Trimbath,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever in 2024, accusing it of silencing its statements in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While some can be overbearingly hot, the hammam here is kept at the perfect temperature with just the right amount of steam, never stifling or claustrophobic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Rudy Gobert followed his inspired Game 2 effort against Nikola Jokic by stifling the three-time MVP again on an ugly 7-for-26 shooting night, and the Timberwolves established a postseason franchise record by allowing the Nuggets just 11 points in the tone-setting first quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What was clear was that progress toward a universal theory of ultrafinitism has been halting in part because there has been no one clear motivation for the movement, or any singular approach to deciding what its underlying logic should look like.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Blue Owl was among the poster children of this phenomenon, halting quarterly redemptions in OBDC II in mid-February, and opting instead to return capital periodically through portfolio asset sales.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Government forces brought reinforcements into Suqaylabiyah, quelling the violence.—
Omar Albam,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In December, the Mouse House pledged to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and entered a three-year licensing agreement for allowing over 200 Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters’ likenesses to be used in Sora, quelling some of the text-to-video app’s brushups with copyright law.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For those of us who aren’t able to tuck our bins into a garage, concealing them with a trellis, privacy hedge, or another creative fix can help maintain your curb appeal while also ensuring access doesn’t become a problem.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
-
The main level opens through a 10-foot custom entry door to a foyer with Pierre Frey fabric wall upholstery and dual hidden doors concealing a powder room and a walk-in coat closet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Almost fittingly, when Shula died at age 90 on May 20, 2020, Covid had just started to rage, the budding pandemic swallowing everything.—
Greg Cote
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
His older son has an immune disease called eosinophilic esophagitis, where white blood cells gather in the esophagus and cause issues with swallowing and breathing.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Back at the Elias-Clarke building, Runway’s intrepid leader Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and her deputy Nigel (Stanley Tucci) fight to keep their once-vital, but now diminishing, print product alive in the digital age.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
1 May 2026
-
Even the most ambitious stories often felt exhausted by the third installment, with diminishing creative and financial returns.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump thought the Secret Service did an excellent job subduing the gunman but the White House is reviewing security for major events for the country's 250th anniversary.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The defense was more than satisfactory in subduing the league’s top offense.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suppressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suppressing. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
