(suppresses, suppressing, suppressed)
1.
If someone in authority suppresses an activity, they prevent it from continuing, by using force or making it illegal.
...drug traffickers, who continue to flourish despite international attempts to suppress them...
...nationwide demonstrations for democracy, suppressed after 7 weeks by the army.
VERB: V n, V-ed
• suppression
...people who were imprisoned after the violent suppression of the pro-democracy movement protests.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
2.
If a natural function or reaction of your body is suppressed, it is stopped, for example by drugs or illness.
The reproduction and growth of the cancerous cells can be suppressed by bombarding them with radiation.
VERB: be V-ed
• suppression
Eye problems can indicate an unhealthy lifestyle with subsequent suppression of the immune system.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
3.
If you suppress your feelings or reactions, you do not express them, even though you might want to.
Liz thought of Barry and suppressed a smile...
The Professor said that deep sleep allowed suppressed anxieties to surface.
VERB: V n, V-ed
• suppression
A mother's suppression of her own feelings can cause problems.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
4.
If someone suppresses a piece of information, they prevent other people from learning it.
At no time did they try to persuade me to suppress the information...
VERB: V n
• suppression
The inspectors found no evidence which supported any allegation of suppression of official documents.
N-UNCOUNT: N of n
5.
If someone or something suppresses a process or activity, they stop it continuing or developing.
'The Government is suppressing inflation by devastating the economy,' he said...
VERB: V n