suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpre-shən 

1

: an act or instance of suppressing : the state of being suppressed

2

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling

Synonyms

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• inhibition
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint

Examples of suppression in a Sentence

learned that suppression of her angry feelings didn't necessarily make them go away

Recent Examples on the Web

Voter suppression carries a prison sentence of 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison. —Eli Joseph, Fortune, 6 June 2024

During an off-the-record period of an evidence suppression hearing in which the defense was to argue the defendant did not voluntarily waive his right not to participate in a custodial interview, Brewer attempted to get the judge’s attention. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2024

In Banff National Park, which was created in 1885 and is Canada’s oldest, officials until 1983 hewed to a strict policy of fire suppression, rather than take significant steps to prevent or manage fires. —Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 29 May 2024

Federal, state, and local officials are engaged in a range of contingency planning for various threats in areas, whether that be deep fake circulating that could impact voter suppression, for example. —CBS News, 26 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpresh-ən 

: an act or instance of suppressing: as

a

: stoppage of a bodily function or a symptom

suppression of urine secretion

suppression of a cough

b

: the failure of development of a bodily part or organ

c

: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling compare repression sense 2a