1 suppress | Definition of suppress

suppress

verb
sup·​press | \ sÉ™-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio) \
suppressed; suppressing; suppresses

Definition of suppress

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
3a : to exclude from consciousness
b : to keep from giving vent to : check suppressed her anger
4 obsolete : to press down
5a : 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

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Other Words from suppress

suppressibility \ sÉ™-​ËŒpre-​sÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce suppressibility (audio) \ noun
suppressible \ sÉ™-​ˈpre-​sÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce suppressible (audio) \ adjective
suppressive \ sÉ™-​ˈpre-​siv How to pronounce suppressive (audio) \ adjective
suppressiveness \ sÉ™-​ˈpre-​siv-​nÉ™s How to pronounce suppressiveness (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for suppress

Synonyms

burke, cover (up), hush (up)

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

The number seems suppressed following the Tar Heels’ underdog victory and Miami taking a loss. Esten Mclaren, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Miami (Fl.) at North Carolina odds, picks and best bets," 4 Sep. 2019 Dry air can also get caught up in the atmosphere and suppress the formation of thunderstorms. Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "What you need to know about hurricane season," 3 Sep. 2019 The Good Place star, 33, made headlines for criticizing Kim and Khloé Kardashian for hawking weight loss aids like Flat Tummy Tea and appetite suppressing lollipops. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Jameela Jamil Doesn’t Want to ‘Cancel’ the Kardashians: ‘Just Stop Selling Laxatives’," 27 Aug. 2019 This life-changing treatment is a combination of medications that in addition to improving Edelman’s symptoms also suppresses her immune system. Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "I Have a Compromised Immune System—I Rely on Herd Immunity to Live," 26 Aug. 2019 Today, people can take one pill a day to suppress or prevent HIV infection. María Méndez, Dallas News, "Dallas County and agencies are ramping up efforts to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. Can it be done?," 23 Aug. 2019 Led by former Arizona Republican senator Jon Kyl and his team at the law firm Covington & Burling, the report was commissioned by Facebook in May 2018 in response to accusations that Facebook suppresses conservative views. Paris Martineau, WIRED, "Accused of Liberal Bias, Facebook Allows Ads With ... Tubes," 21 Aug. 2019 When Trending Topics originally debuted in 2014, it was managed by a team of journalists, who quickly faced withering attacks after reportedly suppressing conservative news. Fortune, "Facebook Is Hiring Journalists Ahead of a Closely-Watched Return to News," 20 Aug. 2019 Fentanyl, which suppresses breathing, has led to an explosion in the number of Americans dying from opioid overdoses in the past five years. Kate Santich, orlandosentinel.com, "Faith, business leaders tapped for battle against opioid epidemic," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suppress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of suppress

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for suppress

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

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More Definitions for suppress

suppress

verb

English Language Learners Definition of suppress

: to end or stop (something) by force
: to keep (something) secret : to not allow people to know about or see (something)
: to not allow yourself to feel, show, or be affected by (an emotion)

suppress

verb
sup·​press | \ sÉ™-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio) \
suppressed; suppressing

Kids Definition of suppress

1 : to put down (as by authority or force) : subdue Police suppressed a riot.
2 : to hold back : repress The girls could hardly suppress a smile.

suppress

transitive verb
sup·​press | \ sÉ™-ˈpres How to pronounce suppress (audio) \

Medical Definition of suppress

1 : to exclude from consciousness suppressed anxiety
2