suppress

verb

sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
suppressed; suppressing; suppresses

transitive verb

1
: to put down by authority or force : subdue
suppress a riot
2
: to keep from public knowledge: such as
a
: to keep secret
b
: to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of
suppress the test results
3
a
: to exclude from consciousness
b
: to keep from giving vent to : check
suppressed her anger
4
obsolete : to press down
5
a
: to restrain from a usual course or action
suppress a cough
b
: to inhibit the growth or development of
6
: to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
suppressibility noun
suppressible adjective
suppressive adjective
suppressiveness noun

Examples of suppress in a Sentence

Political dissent was brutally suppressed. The governor tried to suppress the news. He struggled to suppress his feelings of jealousy. She could not suppress her anger. I had to suppress an urge to tell him what I really thought.
Recent Examples on the Web New drugs to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection of the organ were also used under the protocol. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Fletcher told the justices the government may not use coercive threats to suppress speech, but can inform, persuade and criticize private speakers. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 The justices in October agreed to decide whether the Biden administration impermissibly worked to suppress speech on Facebook, YouTube and X. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024 The attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana argued that the federal government went too far by coercing social media companies to suppress speech of individual users and by becoming deeply involved in the companies’ decisions to remove certain content. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Where countries are using Chinese national security concepts, tactics, and technologies to suppress human rights and tighten authoritarian control, Washington cannot and should not compete to advance the same goals. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2024 Peaceful protesters across Russia are being suppressed. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024 That diversity of ability and comfort with suppressing natural behaviors makes media representation even more complicated. Aj Willingham, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Not only does azolla provide lots of free nitrogen, but the plant cover helps suppress weeds and reduces the emission of methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. Matt Simon, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suppress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin suppressus, past participle of supprimere, from sub- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppress was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near suppress

Cite this Entry

“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suppress

verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
1
: to put down by authority or force
suppress a rebellion
2
a
: to keep from being known
tried to suppress the news
b
: to stop the publication or distribution of
suppressed the test results
3
: to hold back : repress
suppress feelings of jealousy
suppressed a cough
4
: to slow or stop the growth or development of : stunt
suppressible adjective
suppression
-ˈpresh-ən
noun
suppressive adjective
suppressor
-ˈpres-ər
noun

Medical Definition

suppress

transitive verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
1
: to exclude from consciousness
suppressed anxiety
2
: to restrain from a usual course or action
suppress a cough
3
: inhibit sense 2
suppresses the human immune responseJosie Glausiusz
especially : to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
suppressibility noun
plural suppressibilities
suppressible adjective

Legal Definition

suppress

transitive verb
sup·​press sə-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio)
1
: to put down by authority or force
2
a
: to keep secret
b
: to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of
3
a
: to exclude (illegally obtained evidence) from use at trial
suppress narcotics found in violation of the right against unreasonable search and seizure
b
: to fail to disclose (material evidence favorable to a defendant) in violation of due process
accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence
compare brady material

intransitive verb

: to suppress evidence
suppressible adjective
suppression noun

More from Merriam-Webster on suppress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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