Suppressing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suppressing

[səˈpresɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

control

To suppress means to forcibly put an end to something or prevent its development. It involves restraining, inhibiting, or subduing a particular action, feeling, or expression.

Synonyms

quell, restrain, stifle, subdue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppressing	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.
restrain	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.
quell	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.
subdue	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.
stifle	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.

Examples of usage

Police used tear gas to suppress the protest.
The dictator suppressed any form of dissent in the country.
She tried to suppress her laughter during the serious meeting.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

information

In the context of information, to suppress means to prevent the disclosure or publication of something. It involves hiding or keeping secret certain details or facts.

Synonyms

bury, censor, conceal, withhold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppressing	Duplicate of 'suppressing', already described above. Duplicate of 'suppressing', already described above
conceal	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
withhold	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
censor	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
bury	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

Examples of usage

The government tried to suppress the report on the scandal.
The company suppressed the negative reviews of their product.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Suppressing feelings can lead to emotional difficulties, as the brain struggles to ignore them.
Research shows that ignoring or suppressing thoughts might actually make them stronger over time.

Politics

In government, suppressing dissent refers to actions taken to limit free speech or protests.
Historical events, like the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests, highlight the consequences of restricting voices.

Literature

Many authors explore the theme of suppression in their work, reflecting inner struggles of characters.
Classic novels often depict society’s role in suppressing individuals, revealing deeper social critiques.

Science

In biology, suppressing certain genes can help scientists understand their function and potential diseases.
Similarly, in chemistry, suppressing reactions can stabilize compounds and control processes.

Origin of 'suppressing'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'suppressus,' which means 'pressed down' or 'held back.'
It evolved in the 15th century to refer to controlling emotions and actions.

The word 'suppress' has its origins in Latin 'supprimere', from 'sub-' (under) and 'premere' (press). It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally meaning 'to check or repress.' Over time, its usage expanded to encompass a broader range of meanings related to inhibition, control, and concealment.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,720, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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12717 veritable
12718 idleness
12719 etched
12720 suppressing
12721 dower
12722 abnormality
12723 cherish
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