Definition

1. Verb:
   • To end or stop something by force or authority: To put down or crush something, such as a rebellion, uprising, or activity.
   • To restrain or hold back: To consciously prevent yourself from showing an emotion, desire, or physical reaction.
   • To prevent something from being known, published, or circulated: To keep information, evidence, or a publication secret or from being distributed.
   • To reduce the incidence, severity, or activity of something: To lessen or stop a physical process, symptom, or condition.

Usage and Examples

• To end by force or authority:
  • The army moved in to suppress the violent protest.
  • The regime used harsh laws to suppress dissent.
• To restrain or hold back:
  • She tried to suppress her anger during the meeting.
  • He suppressed a cough so as not to interrupt the speaker.
• To prevent from being known or circulated:
  • The newspaper was accused of trying to suppress vital evidence.
  • The government suppressed the controversial report.
• To reduce incidence or severity:
  • This medication helps to suppress the allergic reaction.
  • The software includes a feature to suppress background noise.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Psychological suppression: In psychology, to consciously exclude unacceptable thoughts or desires from one's conscious mind.
  • He tried to suppress the painful memory.
• Technical suppression: In various fields like electronics or medicine, to inhibit a specific signal, process, or symptom.
  • The firewall suppresses unwanted network traffic.

Variants and Related Words

• Suppression (noun): The act of suppressing.
  • The suppression of free speech is a serious concern.
• Suppressive (adjective): Tending or serving to suppress.
  • The treatment has a suppressive effect on the virus.
• Suppressor (noun): A person or thing that suppresses. Often refers to a device that reduces noise or the intensity of something.
  • He attached a suppressor to the rifle.

Synonyms

• Subdue: To overcome, quieten, or bring under control.
• Quell: To put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.
• Repress: Often used similarly to 'suppress', especially regarding emotions or desires; can also imply a more subconscious process.
• Stifle: To restrain (a reaction, sound, or emotion); to smother.
• Curb: To restrain or keep in check.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Suppress a smile/laugh/yawn: To stop yourself from smiling, laughing, or yawning.
  • The joke was so funny it was hard to suppress a laugh.
• Suppress information/evidence: To prevent information or evidence from becoming known.
  • The company was found guilty of suppressing evidence about the product's risks.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• To suppress one's feelings/emotions: To not allow yourself to express what you are feeling.
  • It's not healthy to constantly suppress your emotions.
• To be suppressed by authority: To be controlled or kept down by a powerful group or government.
  • For years, their culture was suppressed by the colonial authority.

Verb

1. reduce the incidence or severity of or stop
   • suppress a yawn
   • this drug can suppress the hemorrhage
2. put out of one's consciousness
3. control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
4. come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
   • The government oppresses political activists
5. to put down by force or authority
   • suppress a nascent uprising
   • stamp down on littering
   • conquer one's desires