SUPPRESSES Synonyms: 184 Similar and Opposite Words

suppresses

verb

present tense third-person singular of suppress

as in covers (up)

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

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as in stifles

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 halts

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 quells

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 conceals

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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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 suppresses In recent years, the unit has been the target of public scrutiny for their aggressive response and policing of demonstrations, with some critics saying the unit suppresses people’s right to free speech. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 Once growth begins there, the process also suppresses additional crystals from forming nearby. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 Over time, this reduction in egg production suppresses mosquito populations. — New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026 Far fewer teams can quantify how autosuggest modifiers alter user behavior, how star-rating variance suppresses click-through rates or how ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and other AI platforms characterize their brand in response to real user queries. — Paul M. Wilson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The fallen autumn leaves can be left in the garden to serve as a carbon-rich winter cover that suppresses weeds just as effectively as wood bark mulch. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 Its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation effectively suppresses low-frequency drone and office chatter, while custom 40mm drivers deliver rich, balanced sound reinforced by Ultra Bass technology. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026 The world unjustly suppresses and gives pain to an individual. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 When your fat cells are adequately stocked with fat, leptin levels are high, and your brain suppresses appetite. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suppresses

Verb

Perhaps her biggest challenge is combating the misconception that cystic fibrosis has been cured, which stifles investment into new treatments.

— Gerry Smith, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Opponents argue the proposal weakens environmental protections, stifles community input and could fast-track projects like data centers and freeways.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifles

Verb

Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of represses

Verb

So playing Blackjack at home quells some of their desire to do something catastrophic.

— Marah Eakin, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Powered by chemical agents, this provides apt UV protection while hyaluronic acid improves hydration levels, niacinamide quells inflammation, and allantoin keeps skin soothed.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of quells

Verb

In many of his shots, the big sky of Ukraine’s fields and steppe swallows the frame.

— Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 10 Oct. 2026
Social Security swallows nearly a quarter of the federal budget and is less than a decade away from insolvency.

— Andrew G. Biggs, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of swallows

Verb

Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns.

— Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
By effectively raising the threshold in the playoffs, the NFL acknowledges that over-officiating diminishes the product and that marginal penalties should not decide its most important games.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishes

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“Suppresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suppresses. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suppresses

verb

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