suppression

noun

sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce suppression (audio)
1
: an act or instance of suppressing : the state of being suppressed
2
: the conscious intentional exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling

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
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.
Centered on the author’s experience with an élite team of firefighters, this analysis of California’s wildfires entwines an account of the state’s 2021 fire season with an appraisal of its record of fire suppression. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 The media frenzy matter was tossed out four days in by the judge due to evidence suppression by the prosecution and local cops. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 May 2025 There’s now an overabundance of balsam fir, the budworm’s preferred meal, thanks in part to fire suppression during the 20th and 21st centuries, Stockstad said. Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025 This same upside-down logic is now being used to portray the suppression of campus speech as a blow against religious persecution. Robert Helfand, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for suppression

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppression was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Suppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppression. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

suppression

noun
sup·​pres·​sion sə-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce suppression (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on suppression

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