Suppressing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about stopping something from happening or continuing, often by force or authority.

• The government is suppressing the protests.
• She was suppressing her laughter during the serious meeting.

Implies holding back, controlling, or limiting someone's movements or actions, often to prevent harm.

• She had to restrain her dog from jumping on the guests.
• The security guards managed to restrain the intruder.

Typically used to indicate putting an end to something, especially by using force, or calming strong emotions or fears.

• The police were called in to quell the riot.
• He tried to quell his nervousness before the interview.

Refers to bringing under control, especially by force, or calming down intense emotions.

• The soldiers were able to subdue the enemy forces.
• She spoke softly in an attempt to subdue the crying child.

Used when referring to stopping something from developing or expressing, often causing a sense of suffocation.

• The heavy regulations stifle innovation.
• He tried to stifle his yawning during the lecture.

Duplicate of 'suppressing', already described above.

• Duplicate of 'suppressing', already described above

Used when someone hides something intentionally to keep it from being discovered or known. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the intent behind hiding the information.

• She concealed the gift until his birthday
• The spy concealed his true identity

Used when someone intentionally keeps something back or refuses to give it. Often relates to information or resources and typically has a negative connotation when someone is seen as being deliberately uncooperative or secretive.

• The witness decided to withhold important evidence
• The company is accused of withholding employee benefits

Used when information is deliberately omitted or altered to prevent it from being seen or heard, usually by an authority. It generally has a negative connotation, suggesting restriction of freedom of speech or expression.

• The publisher decided to censor the controversial parts of the book
• The dictator censored the media to maintain control

Typically used in a metaphorical sense to describe hiding or ignoring something deeply, especially feelings or memories. It can also refer to physically covering something up. Often implies an effort to put something out of sight or mind, but not necessarily with negative intent.

• She tried to bury her painful memories of the past
• They decided to bury the evidence to protect their friend