Suppress – Definition and Part of Speech
The word suppress is a verb used to describe actions aimed at preventing or forcibly putting an end to something. It often conveys the idea of stopping a feeling, action, event, or other phenomena from occurring or being expressed. The term can be applied in various contexts ranging from psychological control (suppressing emotions) to social and political spheres (suppressing protests).
Grammatical Forms:
- Suppress: Base form.
- Suppresses: Third person singular present tense.
- Suppressed: Simple past and past participle forms.
- Suppressing: Present participle or gerund form.
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quash | To put an end to something decisively and firmly. | “The court decided to quash the controversial law.” | Formal/Legal |
| Stifle | To make something unable to develop or grow; often used for ideas or emotions. | “She felt her creativity stifled by the company’s rigid rules.” | Literary/Creative |
| Repress | Similar to suppress, but often implies an unconscious effort. | “He repressed his anger during the meeting.” | Psychological/Academic |
| Curtail | To reduce or limit in extent or quantity; often used for actions or activities. | “The government had to curtail public gatherings due to health concerns.” | Formal/Business |
| Dampen | To make less intense, often used for emotions or enthusiasm. | “The news served to dampen their spirits.” | Informal/Casual |
Usage Notes
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Quash: Best suited for formal or legal contexts where an authoritative decision is made. It emphasizes a decisive and final action.
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Stifle: Often found in literary or creative writing, it conveys the idea of suffocation or inhibition. It’s ideal for describing emotional or intellectual suppression.
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Repress: Used frequently in psychological contexts to describe the unconscious act of keeping unwanted feelings or thoughts out of awareness.
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Curtail: Common in business and official discourse when referring to the limitation of activities, rights, or processes. It implies a reduction but not necessarily complete elimination.
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Dampen: Suitable for informal settings where emotions, enthusiasm, or excitement are reduced but not entirely eliminated. Often used metaphorically.
Common Pitfalls
One common confusion is between suppress and repress. While both involve preventing something from being expressed, repress often implies an unconscious process, whereas suppress suggests a deliberate action.
Another potential pitfall is using stifle interchangeably with quash. Stifle conveys a sense of inhibition that can be emotional or creative, while quash indicates a formal decision to end something, typically involving authority and finality.
Final Recap
In summary, the key synonyms for suppress—each with its own nuances—are:
- Quash: Formal; definitive ending.
- Stifle: Creative/Literary; emotional/intellectual inhibition.
- Repress: Psychological; often unconscious action.
- Curtail: Business/Official; reduction of activities.
- Dampen: Informal/Casual; reducing intensity.
By understanding these synonyms and their nuances, learners can enrich their vocabulary and choose the most appropriate term for a given context. Practicing with these words in sentences or conversations will further solidify comprehension and usage.