verb

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.

How to use suppress

Suppress means to deliberately prevent something from being known, expressed, or continued, often implying force or authority. It is more deliberate and active than hide or conceal, and often carries a negative connotation of censorship or unwanted restraint, though it can also be neutral when referring to controlling one's own emotions or reactions. The context determines whether suppression is justified or problematic.

Common phrases

suppress a smile
suppress the truth
suppress evidence
suppress dissent
suppress information

Synonyms

conceal · hide · withhold · restrain · quell

Opposites

reveal · express · publish

Word family

suppression · suppressor · suppressible · suppressed

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse suppress with repress; repress is more psychological and often unconscious, while suppress is conscious and deliberate.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD