suppress
suh-PRESS
/səˈpres/
To consciously hold back, restrain, or prevent the expression or awareness of a thought or feeling.
Involves intentional, conscious effort to push something away.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'sub-' (under) and 'premere' (to press). Literally translated, it means to press down under the surface.
Word relationships
- inhibit: Inhibit implies slowing down or hindering a process; suppress implies active holding down.
- restrain: Restrain applies to holding back physical action as well as emotion.
- release: To allow thoughts, feelings, or actions to flow freely.
Commonly confused with
- repress: Suppress is intentional holding back; repress is unintentional and unconscious.
Word family
- suppression (noun): The act of consciously stopping or restraining something.
- suppressant (noun): A substance or agent that restrains a biological function.
Collocations
- suppress anger
- suppress symptoms
- suppress a smile
- consciously suppress
Example sentences
- "She attempted to suppress her anger during the meeting to remain professional." Psychology
Memory hook
SUPPRESS = SUB-surface PRESSing on purpose. Conscious pressing down.
When not to use
Do not use for automatic, unconscious mental blocking.
Fun facts
- Unlike repression, suppression is frequently studied in modern cognitive therapy because individuals can report doing it.
Related words
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