rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysuppressStopping by force
verb

suppress

suh-PRESS/səˈpres/

To prevent an activity from occurring or being expressed.

The woman suppresses the alarm's ringing beneath a thick cushion.

Adult woman covers ringing alarm clock with thick cushion to silence it, clear act of suppressing sound.
Etymology
supLatinunder, down
+pressLatinto press, hold fast

The image is of pressing something down or holding it back. Applied to feelings, information, or activity, that physical restraint becomes preventing expression, disclosure, or continuation.

In context

Rep. Jamie Raskin3:03
a deliberate effort to suppress the existence of the phone call in the whole Giuliani underground operation to sabotage the u.s. ambassador Jovanovic
CNN - Raskin Discusses White House Stonewalling, Blocking Witness Testimony

More examples

  • The company tries to suppress news of the safety problems.
  • She suppresses a laugh during the serious discussion.
  • This medication suppresses the immune system's response.

Forms

suppress · suppresses · suppressed · suppressing

suppression noun — the act of preventing or restraining something

suppressive adjective — acting to restrain or prevent activity

Similar words

restrain
Restrain emphasizes holding something back rather than stopping it entirely.
stifle
Stifle often suggests blocking expression or preventing development.
curb
Curb means limiting an activity rather than preventing it completely.