English Reference
verb · noun

suppressing

v. · n.
US /səˈpɹɛsɪŋ/ UK /səpɹˈɛsɪŋ/ sup·press·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.stopping an activity or a group of people by using power or force.

    v.forcibly putting an end to an activity, rebellion, or public expression.

    Simple

    The government was accused of suppressing the protests in the capital city.

    In context

    The regime focused on suppressing dissent by monitoring private communications and restricting the freedom of the local press.

    crushingquellingsubduing
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.preventing yourself from showing a feeling or keeping information secret.

    v.consciously inhibiting the expression of an emotion or preventing the publication of information.

    Simple

    She had a hard time suppressing a smile during the serious meeting.

    In context

    The legal team was accused of suppressing evidence that could have changed the outcome of the trial.

    bottling upconcealingstifling
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    v.stopping a natural process in the body, like a cough or an allergy.

    v.reducing or preventing the activity of a biological function or the immune system.

    Simple

    The new medication works by suppressing the patient's immune response.

    In context

    The treatment is effective at suppressing the virus, though it does not eliminate it from the body entirely.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.the act of ending something or keeping it down.

    n.the action or process of preventing something from being seen, heard, or active.

    Simple

    The suppressing of the truth led to a major scandal years later.

    In context

    The systematic suppressing of minority languages in schools had a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.

In preclinical experiments, suppressing SET prevented tumors from developing.

ScienceDaily· 6 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated