WordVale

suppress

/səˈpres/  ·  say it: suh·PRES

to forcibly hold back or restrain

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (verb) to prevent something from being shown, published, or made known; to keep something secret

2. (verb) to forcibly stop or prevent something from continuing

3. (verb) to prevent yourself from expressing or showing a feeling or reaction

Examples

• 1. The government tried to suppress the news about the scandal.
• 2. Police worked to suppress the riot before it spread.
• 3. She suppressed a smile during the serious meeting.

Nearby in Actions & Behavior

diminish, amplify, curtail, provoke, appease, placate