suppress

[ suh-pres ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.):

   to suppress the Communist and certain left-leaning parties.

2. to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.).
3. to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.).
4. to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.).
5. to stop or arrest (a flow, hemorrhage, cough, etc.).
6. to vanquish or subdue (a revolt, rebellion, etc.); quell; crush.
7. Genetics. to keep (a gene) from being expressed:

   Let's say that future genetic engineers discover a gene for suicidal depression, and learn how to suppress the gene or adjust it.

8. Electricity. to reduce or eliminate (an irregular or undesired oscillation or frequency) in a circuit.

suppress

/ səˈprɛs /

verb

1. to put an end to; prohibit
2. to hold in check; restrain

   I was obliged to suppress a smile

3. to withhold from circulation or publication

   to suppress seditious pamphlets

4. to stop the activities of; crush

   to suppress a rebellion

5. electronics
   1. to reduce or eliminate (unwanted oscillations) in a circuit
   2. to eliminate (a particular frequency or group of frequencies) in a signal
6. psychiatry
   1. to resist consciously (an idea or a desire entering one's mind)
   2. to exercise self-control by preventing the expression of (certain desires) Compare repress

Derived Forms

• supˈpresser, noun
• supˈpressible, adjective

Other Words From

• sup·press·i·ble adjective
• sup·pres·sive adjective
• sup·pres·sive·ly adverb
• sup·pres·sor sup·press·er noun
• non·sup·pres·sive adjective
• non·sup·pres·sive·ly adverb
• non·sup·pres·sive·ness noun
• pre·sup·press verb (used with object)
• re·sup·press verb (used with object)
• self-sup·press·ing adjective
• self-sup·pres·sive adjective
• un·sup·press·i·ble adjective
• un·sup·pres·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppress¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English suppressen, from Latin suppressus (past participle of supprimere “to press down”), equivalent to sup- sup- + pressus ( press ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppress¹

C14: from Latin suppressus held down, from supprimere to restrain, from sub- down + premere to press

Example Sentences

There is a scientific hypothesis called the “original antigenic sin” that suggests that a person’s first exposure to a particular virus “may sort of kind of set the tone” for that person’s immune system going forward — so this worker’s first flu exposure may have provided his immune system with the defenses needed to suppress H5N1.

From Los Angeles Times

As the journalist Matt Pearce put it: “Hard to describe as a journalist how grateful I am to have a text-based app that does not suppress hyperlinks. I don’t know if people realize exactly how hostile the corporate internet has gotten toward news.”

From Slate

What's more, the practical need to suppress voters of color becomes a central ingredient.

From Salon

The goal of those threatening legal action, no matter how frivolous, is “to suppress criticism,” Jassin says.

From Los Angeles Times

Others told a Reuters journalist: "We refuse to let the charge of antisemitism be weaponised to suppress Palestinian resistance."

From BBC

Related Words

• abolish
• censor
• conceal
• contain
• cover up
• crack down on
• crush
• curb
• cut off
• muzzle
• overcome
• overthrow
• put an end to
• put down
• quash
• quell
• quench
• repress
• silence
• snuff out