Definitions

suppress

[suh-pres] / səˈprɛs /

VERB

restrain, hold in check

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abolish censor conceal contain cover up crack down on crush curb cut off muzzle overcome overthrow put an end to put down quash quell quench repress silence snuff out stamp out stifle subdue withhold

STRONG

annihilate bottle burke check clamp conquer extinguish interrupt muffle overpower shush smother spike squash stop trample

WEAK

beat down bring to naught hold back hold down hold in keep in keep secret put kibosh on put lid on sit on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist build up compliment encourage give in help let go permit praise release sanction start support surrender yield

STRONG

light open

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In April, Akram lost a court bid to suppress the identity of his immediate family due to safety concerns.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Raising borrowing costs now could help suppress inflation while giving policymakers more flexibility if price pressures continue to build.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

In California’s forested areas, which historically experienced frequent, low-intensity ground fires, the state and federal government worked aggressively to suppress all fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

So viewers were understandably skeptical that the corporation had lovingly funded an anti-corporate guerrilla comedy special only to immediately suppress its circulation online.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

The Prime Minister gazed hopelessly at the pair of them for a moment, then the words he had fought to suppress all evening burst from him at last.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Vocabulary lists containing suppress

The Giver

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Animal Farm

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The Maze Runner

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