suppressive

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Explanation of the Word "Suppressive"

Definition:
The word "suppressive" is an adjective that describes something that tends to stop or hold back something else. It often refers to actions or measures taken to control, limit, or prevent certain behaviors or feelings. For example, a government may use suppressive measures to manage protests or dissent.

Usage Instructions:

• "Suppressive" is used to describe actions, policies, or behaviors that restrict or control something.
• It is often used in political or social contexts but can also apply to personal feelings or reactions.

Examples:

1. Basic Example:

   • The government used suppressive measures to control the protest. (Here, it means the government took actions to stop or limit the protest.)

2. Advanced Example:

   • The suppressive policies enacted by the regime led to widespread discontent among the citizens. (In this case, "suppressive" describes policies that prevent freedom of expression.)

Word Variants:

• Suppress (verb): To stop or prevent something from happening.

  • Example: The teacher tried to suppress her laughter during the serious meeting.

• Suppression (noun): The act of stopping something from happening or being expressed.

  • Example: The suppression of free speech can lead to a lack of trust in the government.

Different Meanings:

While "suppressive" is primarily used in the context of controlling or limiting, it can sometimes appear in psychological contexts, referring to the tendency to suppress emotions or thoughts.

Synonyms:

• Controlling
• Repressive
• Restrictive
• Oppressive
• Censoring

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly linked to "suppressive," understanding related phrases can be helpful: - "To keep a lid on something" - This means to control or limit something from becoming too big or out of hand.
- Example: The manager tried to keep a lid on the rumors about layoffs.

Summary:

In summary, "suppressive" is an adjective used to describe actions or measures that control, limit, or prevent something from happening. It is often used in political and emotional contexts.

Academic

Adjective

1. tending to suppress
   • the government used suppressive measures to control the protest