suppressed; suppressing; suppresses
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
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
According to Richard Seager, a climate scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the cause of the current drought is some random atmospheric variability: a high-pressure system over the central and eastern United States that is suppressing rainfall and refusing to budge.
—
M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
How to cope right now Don’t suppress your emotions, process them
In the immediate aftermath of the election results, you may be flooded with emotions ranging from despair to rage.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
The work includes translating propositions into Navajo, educating young voters through cultural and traditional concepts, and navigating persistent obstacles that aim to suppress the Native vote, highlighting the power and influence of this voting bloc.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Similarly, many people have suppressed symptoms of an infection to engage in some sort of social obligation.
—Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suppress 
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.
M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
How to cope right now Don’t suppress your emotions, process them
In the immediate aftermath of the election results, you may be flooded with emotions ranging from despair to rage.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
The work includes translating propositions into Navajo, educating young voters through cultural and traditional concepts, and navigating persistent obstacles that aim to suppress the Native vote, highlighting the power and influence of this voting bloc.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Similarly, many people have suppressed symptoms of an infection to engage in some sort of social obligation.
—Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suppress
Dictionary Entries Near suppress
Cite this Entry
“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suppress
verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres 
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
Medical Definition
suppress
transitive verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres
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 response—Josie Glausiusz
Josie Glausiusz
especially
: to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
Legal Definition
suppress
transitive verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres
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
: to suppress evidence
suppressible
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share