Word
suppressing
Phoneticssup·press·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈpɹɛsɪŋ/
UK/səpɹˈɛsɪŋ/
Definitions
01stopping by force
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.
“The government was accused of suppressing the protests in the capital city.”
“The regime focused on suppressing dissent by monitoring private communications and restricting the freedom of the local press.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02hiding feelings or information
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.
“She had a hard time suppressing a smile during the serious meeting.”
“The legal team was accused of suppressing evidence that could have changed the outcome of the trial.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03medical/biological
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
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.
“The new medication works by suppressing the patient's immune response.”
“The treatment is effective at suppressing the virus, though it does not eliminate it from the body entirely.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04the act of stopping
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun 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.
“The suppressing of the truth led to a major scandal years later.”
“The systematic suppressing of minority languages in schools had a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; it is the present participle form of 'suppress'.
Pitfall
He was suppressing to cry.
He was suppressing the urge to cry.
Suppressing is transitive and requires a noun or noun phrase as an object, not a to-infinitive.
Real-World Examples
“The government in New Delhi is suppressing protests over the culling of 130 million names from India’s voter roll.” “In preclinical experiments, suppressing SET prevented tumors from developing.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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