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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Officials added that people cannot become infected with Naegleria fowleri by swallowing contaminated water; however, the amoeba can enter the body when it is forcefully introduced, such as through the nose into the brain.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Brushing against a lily can leave pollen on its coat, which the cat may later swallow while grooming.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of swallow

Verb

Tribes whose historic homelands fall within the forest became leading voices in the effort to halt logging, with the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ Priscilla Hunter emerging as a major force.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But since February, its progress has halted, said Leo Rossignac-Milon, the co-founder of Track My Visa, a third-party service that monitors applications for 25,000 users.

— Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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

That's because the sink and invisible dual-burner induction cooktop are concealed below a sliding top that works just like a bar or table when retracted.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
All three globe bulbs are concealed here, as is most of the cord, but a foot pedal on/off switch ensures ease of use.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conceal

Verb

His work frequently censored by the Israeli government, Mansour developed a vocabulary of symbols that today functions as a language of resistance.

— News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
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

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