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

And in case anyone thinks its suppressions are the stuff of the past, the emergence of far-right leaders around the Western world in the past few years quickly quells the fantasy. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

Gender-affirming care, which for youth may include puberty suppression or hormone therapy, helps transgender people live in accordance with their gender identity. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024

The Taliban's violent suppression of criticism, along with draconian crackdowns on women's rights, meant journalists who stayed in Afghanistan were at constant risk of being detained, tortured, disappeared or killed. —Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024

The Stakes of Data Loss Data suppression or alteration poses serious risks to various sectors and populations. —Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

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