suppressant

noun

sup·​pres·​sant sə-ˈpre-sᵊnt 

: an agent (such as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something

Examples of suppressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And as scrutiny of fire suppressants has grown, the Forest Service has set buffer zones surrounding lakes and rivers, though its own data shows retardant still inadvertently drifts into those waters. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Since little was known about where … Full Story Some wildfire suppressants may be unleashing heavy metals into the environment: Study The widespread use of certain chemical or synthetic fire suppressants may be leading to heavy metal contamination in wildfire-prone areas, a new study has found. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Here's what to know: When are fire suppressants used? —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025

The new measures, which include sprinkling water with dust suppressants on roads, as well as mechanised sweeping that would help settle dust, will come into effect from Friday morning. —Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

suppressant

noun

sup·​pres·​sant sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt 

: an agent (as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something

a cough suppressant

Medical Definition

suppressant

1 of 2 adjective

sup·​press·​ant sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt 

: suppressive

suppressant

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something

a cough suppressant