suppress

Everyday

1. To stop yourself from showing a feeling or doing something, like suppressing a laugh, yawn or sneeze. tree →
2. To stop something by force, like a rebellion or a protest. tree →
3. To keep information secret so people cannot know it. tree →
4. To stop something from growing or working, like a fire or an illness. tree →

In the lessons

In stories characters «suppress a giggle» or «suppress a smile» when they must stay serious. In history lessons rulers suppressed protests and rebellions. In science and health, medicine can suppress a cough or a virus; firefighters suppress fires. Phrases: «suppress a laugh», «suppress a yawn», «suppress the truth», «suppress a rebellion».

Examples

• I tried to suppress a giggle during assembly. tree →
• She suppressed a yawn in the long lesson. tree →
• The king's army suppressed the rebellion. tree →
• The medicine helps suppress a cough. tree →
• (formal) They suppressed the report so nobody could read it. tree →
• Firefighters worked all night to suppress the fire. tree →
• He couldn't suppress his excitement any longer. tree →

Note

Spelling: double «p» and double «s»: suppress. Noun: «suppression». Not the same as «oppress» (to treat people cruelly and unfairly) or «repress» (to hold back strongly, often feelings).