SUPPRESS Synonyms: 184 Similar and Opposite Words

suppress

verb

sə-ˈpres

Definition of suppress

as in to stifle

to keep from being publicly known the government tried to suppress the truth about that incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to swallow

to refrain from openly showing or uttering he managed to suppress a scream at the sight of the dead mouse suppressed her anger

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as in to halt

to hold back the normal growth of pruning helps suppress buds at the ends of developed branches and encourages new growth elsewhere

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as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force nothing could suppress the rising tide of protest against the dictator's latest injustices

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as in to conceal

to keep secret or shut off from view the defense attorney is openly accusing the prosecutor of attempting to suppress vital evidence

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of suppress After 20 years of suppressing his feelings, therapy helped Harry give himself permission to grieve and acknowledge his pain. — Esther Lian, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026 The market has taken recent Fedspeak to suggest very low chances of an October rate hike, even though Warsh himself has decried forward guidance and said the Fed shouldn't suppress normal market volatility. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Parentified children, particularly adolescents, often feel forced to suppress their own needs, which can lead to serious mental health concerns. — Parents, 17 Oct. 2026 The flip side of this is that more hectic environments, like a busy cafe, aren’t so easily suppressed. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppress

Verb

Brown was part of stifling a KC law that was going to protect against housing discrimination on the basis of income source or criminal history in 2025.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Studies have shown that countries with stronger IP systems tend to be more innovative, while weaker IP systems may stifle innovation.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifle

Verb

There is no answer to be found in this story, no magic pill, pleasingly round, to be halved or crushed, then swallowed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Even more so in Bates’ home of Aroostook County, which swallows some 6,700 square miles way up near the Canadian border.

— Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallow

Verb

As a result, Metra trains on the BNSF Line were temporarily halted near Western Avenue.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

Some areas have received enough rain to quell the risk for the rest of the season, while others probably need another soaking.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump is waging a campaign in the final moments of the midterm election to quell discontent among farmers, truckers and drivers exhausted by $4 gas and near-record diesel.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

The Symptoms Women Work to Hide Sweating, hot flashes and brain fog are among the symptoms women most often try to conceal, according to the Womea survey.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
The gloom was useful for masking scavenging activities and for concealing one’s identity.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of conceal

Verb

The film came out highly censored in 1971, and only recently had its most salacious bits recovered from the archives and restored to their fleshy glory.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
But on the television broadcast that aired on Saturday, Antonia’s T-shirt had been censored, appearing to be all white.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of censor

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026