suppress
suh-PRES
/səˈprɛs/
To forcibly put an end to; to prevent the development, action, or expression of.
Implies an active effort to keep something from emerging or continuing, often with an element of force or authority. Can apply to ideas, emotions, or physical actions.
The story behind the word. "Suppress" comes from the Latin `supprimere`, which literally means "to press down." It's formed from `sub-` (meaning "under" or "down") and `premere` (meaning "to press"). So, when you suppress something, you're quite literally pressing it down, keeping it from rising or being seen. This root connection makes it easy to visualize the act of forceful restraint.
Word relationships
- quell: Often used for putting an end to disorder or rebellion, suggesting a more immediate, decisive action.
- stifle: Implies smothering or preventing growth/development, often gradually or indirectly.
- encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
- release: To allow to be known or expressed.
Commonly confused with
- repress: "Repress" often refers to psychological suppression (pushing down thoughts/feelings unconsciously), while "suppress" can be conscious or external (e.g., suppressing a rebellion).
Word family
- suppression (noun): The act of forcibly putting an end to something.
- suppressive (adjective): Tending to suppress.
Collocations
- suppress a rebellion
- suppress dissent
- suppress evidence
- suppress feelings
- suppress a cough
Example sentences
- "The government used riot police to suppress the student protests, fearing they would escalate into widespread unrest." Describing government action against protest.
- "She tried to suppress a giggle during the serious lecture, but a small snort escaped anyway." Psychological context.
Memory hook
SUPPRESS: The SUPeR PRESSure put on the rebels made them stop. Super pressure.
When not to use
Don't use for simply stopping something; it implies a deliberate, often forceful, act to prevent something from being known or expressed.
Fun facts
- The same `premere` root gives us words like "compress" (press together) and "express" (press out).
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.