suppressive
suppressive — verb
- suppressivepresent simple I / you / we / they
- suppressives3rd person singular
- suppressiving-ing form
- suppressivedpast simple
1. to stop an uprising, protest, or rebellion by using military or police force, us
to stop an uprising, protest, or rebellion by using military or police force, usually with the authority of a government or ruling power
The general sent thousands of soldiers to suppress the rebellion in the northern provinces.
military collocation: suppress + rebellion / uprising
Police units suppressed the street protest within a few hours using water cannons.
Faisal wrote an article about how the former regime suppressed all forms of political opposition.
The revolt was quickly suppressed before it could spread to nearby towns.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase (rebellion / uprising / protest / revolt)
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive voice when describing historical or military events. The subject is typically a government, army, or other authority.
2. to prevent a piece of information, a report, or the truth from becoming known to
to prevent a piece of information, a report, or the truth from becoming known to the public or to people who have a right to know it
The company suppressed the safety report because it showed serious problems with their products.
suppress + report (corporate context)
Journalists accused the government of suppressing the true numbers of those affected by the flood.
suppress + truth / numbers / facts
Henrik believed that the school was suppressing complaints from former students about the teacher.
The research findings were suppressed for years by the agency that funded the study.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase (report / evidence / facts / truth)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an organisation, government, or authority that controls access to information. The sense implies deliberate concealment for self-protective or political reasons.
常見錯誤
3. to stop yourself from showing or giving in to a natural feeling, emotion, or phy
to stop yourself from showing or giving in to a natural feeling, emotion, or physical reaction — such as laughter, anger, sadness, or a desire
Yuna suppressed a laugh when her little brother fell into the pile of leaves.
suppress + laugh / smile / giggle
Mateo tried to suppress his anger during the meeting, but his voice shook as he spoke.
suppress + anger / frustration
After years of suppressing her grief, Amani finally cried when she visited her grandmother's grave.
The children could not suppress their excitement when they saw the birthday cake.
Cyrus suppressed the urge to check his phone during the wedding ceremony.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase (feeling / emotion / urge / desire / laughter)
用法筆記
Object is always an internal feeling or reaction, not an external event. Can be used in everyday conversation, unlike senses 1 and 2 which are formal.
常見錯誤
4. to press or push something downward so that it stops moving, stays in place, or
to press or push something downward so that it stops moving, stays in place, or becomes quiet
The nurse suppressed the bleeding by pressing a clean cloth firmly against the wound.
suppress + bleeding / hemorrhage
Dahlia suppressed the loose pages of the book so the wind would not tear them.
The gardener suppressed the weeds by laying a thick sheet of black plastic over the soil.
Sari suppressed the lid of the suitcase with both knees to force the lock shut.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase
用法筆記
This is the most concrete, physical sense of 'suppress'. It contrasts with the more abstract senses (1, 2, 3) which involve people or information.
5. to stop or slow down the natural growth, development, or normal functioning of s
to stop or slow down the natural growth, development, or normal functioning of something — such as a plant, a body system, an economic activity, or a process
The doctor prescribed a cream that suppresses the growth of bacteria on the skin.
medical: suppress + growth (bacteria / cells / tumours)
High interest rates can suppress economic growth by making it harder for businesses to borrow money.
economic: suppress + growth / demand
Kemi's medication suppressed her appetite so much that she barely ate anything all day.
The dense canopy of trees suppressed the growth of smaller plants on the forest floor.
Ilan read that stress can suppress the immune system, making a person more likely to get sick.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase (growth / development / immune system / appetite)
用法筆記
Common in both scientific writing (biology, medicine) and everyday contexts (economics, gardening). Unlike sense 1, the suppression here is not done by force but by blocking conditions needed for growth.
常見錯誤
6. in a legal context, to prevent evidence from being presented in court — either b
in a legal context, to prevent evidence from being presented in court — either because it was obtained illegally, or because one side deliberately keeps it hidden from the other side
The defence lawyer asked the judge to suppress the evidence obtained without a warrant.
legal: motion to suppress evidence
Justin's attorney argued that the prosecution had illegally suppressed documents proving his innocence.
legal: suppress + documents / evidence / testimony
The court ruled that the confession must be suppressed because it was obtained under threat.
Prosecutors who suppress favourable evidence can face serious professional consequences and even criminal charges.
文法句型
suppress + noun phrase (evidence / testimony / documents)
用法筆記
This legal sense has two distinct applications: (a) a judge excludes improperly obtained evidence (a 'motion to suppress'), and (b) one side fails to disclose evidence favourable to the other side (a violation of due process).