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
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.
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 

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 29 Nov. 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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