suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpre-shən 

1

: an act or instance of suppressing : the state of being suppressed

2

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling

Synonyms

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• inhibition
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint

Examples of suppression in a Sentence

learned that suppression of her angry feelings didn't necessarily make them go away

Recent Examples on the Web

Its policy for transgender women is based on a testosterone suppression model. —Katie Whyatt, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025

Fast-moving fires have been particularly destructive, accounting for 78% of structures destroyed and 61% of suppression costs between 2001 and 2020. —Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025

Judge Andy Porter denied the suppression motion, and the jury viewed and listened to the complete interview, in which Nixon-Clark admitted firing the Kriss Vector rifle once outside the house. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025

After decades of conflict with Beijing over discrimination and suppression of their cultural identity, the Chinese government launched a brutal crackdown on the Uyghurs that some Western governments deem a genocide. —Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpresh-ən 

: an act or instance of suppressing: as

a

: stoppage of a bodily function or a symptom

suppression of urine secretion

suppression of a cough

b

: the failure of development of a bodily part or organ

c

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling compare repression sense 2a