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 Researchers in South Korea have unveiled a tri-layer composite solid electrolyte (CSE) that boosts ion transport and suppresses dendrite growth in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 Many cope by masking or camouflaging — suppressing autistic traits in order to fit in. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Ukraine's air force meanwhile, said Russia launched 162 drones into the country overnight and into Wednesday morning, of which 134 were intercepted or otherwise suppressed. — David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 The world unjustly suppresses and gives pain to an individual. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppress

Verb

Fresh off a walk-off loss the day before, Dave Roberts was asked about his team’s recent play and couldn’t stifle a yawn.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
On Monday, facing the stifling defense of the second-place Golden State Valkyries, Miles shot three of twelve from the field and gave up four turnovers.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of stifle

Verb

Popular media and Southern folklore frequently claimed that kudzu was swallowing 150,000 new acres every year and had overtaken anywhere from 7 to 9 million acres across the region.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
If your dog swallows these fibers, it can get caught up in the digestive tract like hair in plumbing and create a blockage.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of swallow

Verb

Trade groups representing cities, counties and businesses argued the first provision would give tribes power to delay or halt projects, including those that had already been reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
But the index has stayed within 2% of the peak, the pullbacks so far halting a handful of points above what had been the top of the former multi-month range.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

The break with Callaway was the first sign that Good Good’s attempts at quelling the crisis were not going well after Clark’s statement on social media Wednesday night.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Now, in Season 2, Issa is on the lookout for signs that her boyfriend is crushing on another housemate, while Anton and Paul Baker keep a watchful eye on one another, as much to quell further flirtation as to savor it.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

Torres was then seen on camera concealing the money inside his black jacket before entering an employee restroom, according to the report.

— Ana Maria Soler, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
In practical terms, someone deliberately trying to conceal Claude's involvement could simply rewrite the output substantially.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of conceal

Verb

The crackdown remains a political taboo on the mainland, where authorities tightly censor discussion and prohibit public commemorations.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The crackdown remains a political taboo on the mainland, where authorities tightly censor discussion of the events and prohibit public commemorations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of censor

Verb

Tottenham, repressed for so long in their spending and ambition, are suddenly flashing the cash like a slot machine, dropping £237million ($324m) already.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
And Washington’s campaign against terrorism encouraged its allies to embrace intrusive forms of surveillance and repress potential opposition in the name of security.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of repress

Verb

At least one expert said that some workers could have access to oxygen, but others warned that the chances of finding survivors were diminishing.

— Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026