suppressed; suppressing; suppresses
1
: to put down by authority or force : subdue
suppress a riot
2
: to keep from public knowledge: such as
a
: to keep secret
b
: to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of
suppress the test results
3
a
: to exclude from consciousness
b
: to keep from giving vent to : check
suppressed her anger
4
obsolete
: to press down
5
a
: to restrain from a usual course or action
suppress a cough
b
: to inhibit the growth or development of
6
: to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
Examples of suppress in a Sentence
Political dissent was brutally suppressed.
The governor tried to suppress the news.
He struggled to suppress his feelings of jealousy.
She could not suppress her anger.
I had to suppress an urge to tell him what I really thought.
Recent Examples on the Web
Orwell authored 1984, a bleak vision of the future where an authoritarian regime weaponizes language to suppress independent thought and rewrite history.
—
Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
However, consistent, long-term stress can wear down your immune system, exposing you to inflammation and suppressing your body's response to infections.2
UTIs occur when the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is infected.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 13 May 2025
Through the metal bars, a veterinary staff member is seen on the phone with a weary expression, while another in the background tries to suppress a laugh.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Five engines, one water tender, two dozers and two hand crews are working to suppress the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suppress
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
However, consistent, long-term stress can wear down your immune system, exposing you to inflammation and suppressing your body's response to infections.2
UTIs occur when the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is infected.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 13 May 2025
Through the metal bars, a veterinary staff member is seen on the phone with a weary expression, while another in the background tries to suppress a laugh.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Five engines, one water tender, two dozers and two hand crews are working to suppress the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suppress
Cite this Entry
“Suppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suppress
verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres 
1
: to put down by authority or force
suppress a rebellion
2
a
: to keep from being known
tried to suppress the news
b
: to stop the publication or distribution of
suppressed the test results
3
: to hold back : repress
suppress feelings of jealousy
suppressed a cough
4
: to slow or stop the growth or development of : stunt
Medical Definition
suppress
transitive verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres
1
: to exclude from consciousness
suppressed anxiety
2
: to restrain from a usual course or action
suppress a cough
3
: inhibit sense 2
suppresses the human immune response—Josie Glausiusz
Josie Glausiusz
especially
: to inhibit the genetic expression of
suppress a mutation
Legal Definition
suppress
transitive verb
sup·press
sə-ˈpres
1
: to put down by authority or force
2
a
: to keep secret
b
: to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of
3
a
: to exclude (illegally obtained evidence) from use at trial
suppress narcotics found in violation of the right against unreasonable search and seizure
b
: to fail to disclose (material evidence favorable to a defendant) in violation of due process
accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence
compare brady material
: to suppress evidence
suppressible
adjective
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