Suppress: meaning, definitions and examples

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suppress

[səˈprɛs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

emotion control

To suppress means to forcibly put an end to something, such as feelings, actions, or information. It involves restraining or holding back a particular reaction or behavior.

Synonyms

control, quash, restrain, silence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppress	Use when referring to forcefully putting an end to something such as a movement, feeling, or information. The government tried to suppress the protests He suppressed his laughter during the meeting
restrain	Use when talking about holding back or limiting someone or something physically or emotionally. He had to restrain the dog from running away She could barely restrain her excitement
control	Use when talking about having the power to influence or direct something or someone, often in a positive or neutral sense. She needs to control her temper He controls most aspects of the company
quash	Use when referring to rejecting or voiding something, typically a legal decision or rumour, often with authority. It can have a formal or bureaucratic connotation. The court quashed the subpoena The principal quashed the rumors about the school closing
silence	Use when referring to making someone or something stop making noise or stop expressing opinions, often with a connotation of censorship or suppression. The teacher silenced the students with a stern look The whistleblower was silenced by threats

Examples of usage

The government tried to suppress information about the incident.
She had to suppress her anger in front of her boss.
I tried to suppress a smile when I heard the joke.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

oppression

Suppress can also refer to the act of subduing or crushing individuals or groups through harsh treatment or violence.

Synonyms

crush, quell, subdue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppress	Use this word when you want to talk about stopping something from growing, continuing, or coming out. The government tried to suppress the news about the scandal. She managed to suppress her laughter during the serious meeting.
subdue	Use this when you are indicating that someone is overcoming something, usually with some effort, or bringing something under control. The firefighters managed to subdue the flames after several hours. He had to subdue his anger when speaking with his boss.
crush	This word is often used when you want to talk about destroying something completely, whether it's a physical object or someone's spirit. The army crushed the rebellion with overwhelming force. His hopes and dreams were crushed when he didn't get the job.
quell	This word fits when you want to describe the act of putting an end to something, especially in a forceful way, like unrest or rebellion. The police worked hard to quell the riots in the city. She tried to quell her own fears before the performance.

Examples of usage

The regime sought to suppress any form of dissent.
The authorities used force to suppress the rebellion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'suppressus', meaning 'to press down'.
It entered the English language in the late 14th century, used in contexts of controlling or holding back.
In the 16th century, it began to be used in political contexts, often referring to the control of uprisings.

Psychology

Suppressing emotions can lead to increased stress and anxiety, as the unexpressed feelings don't simply disappear.
Defense mechanisms like suppression are often used to avoid confronting unpleasant thoughts or feelings.
Studies show that people who suppress their emotions may have a harder time regulating their emotional responses over time.

Literature

In many novels, characters who suppress their desires often face internal conflicts that drive the plot.
Classic works such as Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' explore the theme of suppression in societal roles.
Contemporary literature frequently addresses suppression as a response to cultural or familial expectations.

Law

In legal terms, suppressing evidence refers to keeping information out of a trial that could affect the outcome.
Laws around whistleblower protection often address issues of suppression in the workplace.
The suppression of free speech and dissent is a critical topic in discussions about human rights.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies frequently tackle themes of suppression, portraying characters struggling to express their true feelings.
The 1999 film 'The Matrix' metaphorically addressed suppression through the concept of reality versus perception.
Popular music often features lyrics that deal with the emotional fallout of suppressing love, anger, or other strong feelings.

Translations

Translations of the word "suppress" in other languages:

🇵🇹 suprimir

🇮🇳 दबाना

🇩🇪 unterdrücken

🇮🇩 menekan

🇺🇦 пригнічувати

🇵🇱 tłumić

🇯🇵 抑制する

🇫🇷 réprimer

🇪🇸 suprimir

🇹🇷 bastırmak

🇰🇷 억제하다

🇸🇦 قمع

🇨🇿 potlačit

🇸🇰 potlačiť

🇨🇳 抑制

🇸🇮 zatreti

🇮🇸 bæla

🇰🇿 басу

🇬🇪 ყოველთვის

🇦🇿 basdırmaq

🇲🇽 suprimir

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,228 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7225 assent
7226 swallowed
7227 sterile
7228 suppress
7229 preventive
7230 lofty
7231 contaminated
...