Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search



From Latin suppressus, perfect passive participle of supprimō (press down or under), from sub (under) + premō (press).


  • IPA(key): /səˈpɹɛs/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛs
  • Hyphenation: sup‧press


suppress (third-person singular simple present suppresses, present participle suppressing, simple past and past participle suppressed)

  1. to put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue
    Political dissent was brutally suppressed.
  2. to restrain or repress an expression
    I struggled to suppress my smile.
  3. (psychiatry) to exclude undesirable thoughts from one's mind
    He unconsciously suppressed his memories of abuse.
  4. to prevent publication
    The government suppressed the findings of their research about the true state of the economy.
  5. to stop a flow or stream
    The rescue team managed to suppress the flow of oil by blasting the drilling hole.
    Hot blackcurrant juice mixed with honey may suppress cough.
  6. (US, law) to forbid the use of evidence at trial because it is improper or was improperly obtained
  7. (electronics) to reduce unwanted frequencies in a signal
  8. (obsolete) to hold in place, to keep low

Related terms[edit]


External links[edit]