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.
Some voters may view restrictions on electioneering as suppressing their First Amendment rights, Huefner noted. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 The crowd erupted, and Jimmy celebrated behind him, while Jey tried to suppress his laughter. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 At the same time, some argue that voter intimidation implies that someone is trying to suppress voting, not encourage it. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2024 Democrats challenged that the law did nothing to accomplish those goals and would instead suppress votes. Jason Clayworth, Axios, 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 24 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!