suppressant

noun

sup·​pres·​sant sə-ˈpre-sᵊnt How to pronounce suppressant (audio)
: an agent (such as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something

Examples of suppressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is used primarily as a spark suppressant in electricity distribution. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Most combination cold products include a fever and pain reliever (acetaminophen), a decongestant (phenylephrine) and a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan). — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Black tea has caffeine, is an appetite suppressant, promotes metabolism and is a common element in these teas. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 William Burgos and Nathaniel Warner, professors of environmental engineering at Penn State, have spent years testing whether oil and gas brine actually works as a road dust suppressant. — Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppressant

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppressant was in 1884

Rhymes for suppressant

See All Rhymes for suppressant

Browse Nearby Words

suppress
suppressant
suppressed inflation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suppressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppressant. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suppressant

noun
sup·​pres·​sant sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt How to pronounce suppressant (audio)
: an agent (as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something
a cough suppressant

Medical Definition

suppressant

1 of 2 adjective
sup·​press·​ant sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt How to pronounce suppressant (audio)
: suppressive

suppressant

2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug) that tends to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate something
a cough suppressant
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