suppression
gb/səpɹˈɛʃən/ us/səpɹˈɛʃən/
B2
English
~ 9300
elnyomás, visszaszorítás, elfojtás, szuppresszió, bizonyíték kizárása
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
1
elnyomás
B2
Usage pattern:
the suppression of [information/opposition/protests]
International observers condemned the violent suppression of the student protests.
Nemzetközi megfigyelők elítélték a diáktüntetések erőszakos elfojtását.
The new law has been criticized as a tool for the suppression of independent media.
Az új törvényt azzal bírálták, hogy a független média elnyomásának eszköze.
Witnesses shared videos that appeared to show the brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrators.
Human rights groups documented years of political suppression under the military regime.
Learner examples
People marched in the streets to protest the suppression of free speech.
Az emberek utcára vonultak, hogy tiltakozzanak a szólásszabadság elnyomása ellen.
The government was accused of suppression of news about the crisis.
A kormányt azzal vádolták, hogy elhallgatta a válságról szóló híreket.
Many citizens feared the suppression of any political opposition.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "suppression" with "oppression." "Suppression" is about actively stopping or pushing something down (such as protests or news), while "oppression" is a broader, ongoing unfair treatment of people. Also, do not say *"suppression protests"*; use the pattern *"suppression of protests"*.
Meaning
forced control of speech or dissent
Collocations
suppression of dissent
|suppression of protests
|political suppression
|violent suppression
|brutal suppression
|state suppression
Synonyms
repression (Often suggests harsh, long-term control of a group or population, especially by a government.)
|
crackdown (More informal and journalistic; emphasizes a sudden, strong use of force or strict measures.)
|
censorship (Focuses specifically on blocking information, speech, or media, rather than protests or movements.)
Antonyms
protection (As in protection of free speech or rights, which is the opposite of trying to stop them.)
|
tolerance (Implies allowing opposing views or protests rather than trying to crush them.)
Themes
politics
|law
|society
|communication
Definition
The act of a government or group using power to stop people from speaking, sharing news, or protesting.
The deliberate use of power, pressure, or violence by an authority to prevent people from expressing ideas, sharing information, or taking political action.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
suppression of [fire/noise/growth]
The warehouse is protected by an automatic fire suppression system.
A raktárt automatikus tűzoltó rendszer védi.
New regulations require better dust suppression on construction sites.
Az új előírások hatékonyabb porvisszaszorítást írnak elő az építkezéseken.
Engineers are testing advanced noise suppression technology for jet engines.
Learner examples
The building has a fire suppression system in case of an emergency.
Az épületben vészhelyzet esetére automatikus tűzoltó rendszer működik.
Water trucks were used for dust suppression on the road.
Az úton locsolókocsikat használtak a por visszaszorítására.
Headphones with noise suppression make the train much quieter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"system to suppression fire"* instead of "system to **suppress** fire." Remember that "suppression" is the noun and "suppress" is the verb. Also, use the pattern "suppression of noise/fire," not *"suppression noise"*.
Meaning
reduction of a physical process
Collocations
fire suppression system
|noise suppression
|dust suppression
|weed suppression
|growth suppression
Synonyms
control (A broad term; less specific about reducing or stopping, but common in technical descriptions.)
|
reduction (Focuses on making something smaller or weaker, without implying complete stopping.)
Antonyms
amplification (In technical contexts, refers to intentionally increasing a signal, sound, or effect, the opposite of suppressing it.)
|
enhancement (General technical term for making something stronger or more noticeable.)
Themes
science
|technology
|environment
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The act of controlling or reducing a physical thing like fire, sound, or plant growth.
The intentional reduction, control, or prevention of a physical process such as fire, noise, dust, or growth.
NOUN
C1
3
elfojtás
B2
Usage pattern:
suppression of [feelings/emotions/memories]
Years of emotional suppression eventually led to burnout.
Az érzelmek évekig tartó elfojtása végül kiégéshez vezetett.
Therapy helped her move away from the suppression of anger and toward healthier communication.
A terápia segített neki, hogy ne fojtsa el a haragját, hanem egészségesebben kommunikáljon.
The film explores how the suppression of painful memories can affect a person's relationships.
Learner examples
Constant suppression of feelings can make you feel tired.
Az érzések állandó elfojtása kimerültté tehet.
He grew up in a family where suppression of anger was normal.
Olyan családban nőtt fel, ahol normálisnak számított a harag elfojtása.
The doctor warned that suppression of strong emotions is not always healthy.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "suppression" with "depression." "Suppression" is about actively holding feelings back; "depression" is a mood disorder or deep sadness. Also, do not say *"suppression emotions"*; use "suppression **of** emotions."
Meaning
conscious holding back of feelings
Collocations
emotional suppression
|suppression of anger
|suppression of feelings
|suppression of memories
|conscious suppression
Synonyms
restraint (Suggests controlled behavior and self-control, not always negative or hidden.)
|
inhibition (Often used in psychology to mean holding back actions or feelings, but can sound more technical.)
Antonyms
expression (Refers to letting feelings, thoughts, or memories out openly, the opposite of pushing them down.)
|
release (Emphasizes letting stored or held-back emotions flow out.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When a person chooses not to show or feel their emotions or memories, and pushes them down inside.
The conscious act or state of holding back emotions, desires, or memories so that they are not shown or fully experienced.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
szuppresszió
C2
Usage pattern:
suppression of [immune function/bone marrow/viral load]
Long-term steroid use can lead to immune suppression.
A szteroidok hosszú távú használata immunszuppresszióhoz vezethet.
The chemotherapy drug carries a risk of bone marrow suppression.
Ez a kemoterápiás gyógyszer csontvelő-szuppresszió kockázatával jár.
Effective treatment resulted in sustained viral suppression in most patients.
Learner examples
This medicine may cause suppression of your immune system.
Ez a gyógyszer immunszuppressziót okozhat.
The doctor warned about bone marrow suppression as a side effect.
Az orvos figyelmeztetett a csontvelő-szuppresszióra mint mellékhatásra.
Viral suppression means the virus is still there but very weak.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in medical texts "suppression" does not involve feelings. It refers to body systems working less. Do not mix it with the emotional sense in the same sentence.
Meaning
reduced activity of body systems
Collocations
immune suppression
|bone marrow suppression
|tumor suppression
|hormone suppression
|viral suppression
Synonyms
inhibition (Technical term in biology and medicine for a process that slows or stops another process.)
|
depression (In medical writing, can mean lowered function (e.g., respiratory depression), but can confuse learners because of its emotional meaning.)
Antonyms
stimulation (Refers to increasing the activity of a body system or process, the opposite of suppressing it.)
|
activation (Focuses on turning on or raising activity in a system or pathway.)
Themes
medicine
|biology
|health
|body
|science
Definition
When part of the body, like the immune system, works less or stops working because of illness or drugs.
A decrease or stopping of normal activity in a body system, organ, or biological process, often as a result of disease or medication.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
suppression of [evidence/confession]
The defense filed a motion for the suppression of the confession.
A védelem indítványt nyújtott be a vallomás kizárására.
The judge granted suppression of the illegally obtained documents.
A bíró elrendelte a jogellenesen megszerzett iratok kizárását.
Without suppression of that evidence, the trial would have been very different.
Learner examples
The lawyer asked for suppression of the video in court.
Az ügyvéd a videó kizárását kérte a bíróságon.
The judge decided on suppression of the confession.
A bíró a vallomás kizárásáról döntött.
They argued that the search was illegal and wanted suppression of the gun.
Common mistake:
Outside legal contexts, "suppression" does not automatically mean something is legally unusable; this technical sense is specific to court procedures, especially in U.S. English.
Meaning
legal blocking of evidence
Collocations
suppression of evidence
|motion to suppress
|suppression hearing
|order of suppression
Synonyms
exclusion (Legal term that focuses on leaving evidence out of the trial record.)
Antonyms
admission (In legal use, refers to allowing evidence to be used in court.)
Themes
law
Definition
In court, when a judge decides that some evidence cannot be used because it was not collected in a legal or fair way.
In law, the act or result of preventing certain evidence from being used in a trial, usually because it was obtained illegally or unfairly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
suppression
IPA
GB/səpɹˈɛʃən/
US/səpɹˈɛʃən/
Syllables & stress
sup - pres - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pres)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: suppression
- Plural: suppressions
Word family
Forms
suppressions
noun
Core family
suppress
verb C1
Related words
suppressive
adjective
suppressor
noun
suppressant
noun
Expressions
appetite suppression
1/ˈæpɪtˌaɪt səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
reduced desire to eat
When something, like a medicine or drink, makes you feel less hungry.
Examples
- Some weight-loss pills claim to work mainly through appetite suppression.
- Caffeine can cause mild appetite suppression in some people.
dust suppression
1/dˈʌst səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
reduction of dust in the air
Ways to stop dust from going into the air, for example by spraying water on a road.
Examples
- Trucks sprayed water for dust suppression along the unpaved highway.
- Effective dust suppression is needed to protect workers at the mine.
fire suppression system
1/fˈaɪɚ səpɹˈɛʃən sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
technical
built-in system to control fires
Equipment in a building or vehicle that finds and puts out fires automatically.
Examples
- The kitchen is protected by a modern fire suppression system.
- Installing a fire suppression system greatly increased the warehouse's safety rating.
immune suppression
1/ɪmjˈun səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
weakened activity of the immune system
A condition where the body's defense system is weak and cannot fight infections well.
Examples
- Certain cancer treatments can cause serious immune suppression.
- Because of her immune suppression, she must avoid crowded places during flu season.
noise suppression
1/nˈɔɪz səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
reduction of unwanted sound
Technology or methods used to make loud or unwanted sounds quieter.
Examples
- The new headphones offer excellent noise suppression on airplanes.
- Engineers are working on better noise suppression for the subway trains.
suppression of evidence
1/səpɹˈɛʃən əv ˈɛvədəns/
fixed phrase
technical
court blocking certain evidence
When a judge says that some evidence may not be shown in court.
Examples
- The case turned on the judge's suppression of evidence from the illegal search.
- Her lawyer requested suppression of evidence taken from her phone.
tumor suppression
1/tˈumɚ səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
prevention of tumor growth
The process of stopping or slowing the growth of a tumor.
Examples
- The gene plays a key role in tumor suppression.
- Doctors are studying new drugs that may improve tumor suppression in high-risk patients.
voter suppression
1/vˈoʊtɚ səpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
deliberate limiting of voting rights
Actions or laws that make it hard for some groups of people to vote.
Examples
- Activists accused local officials of engaging in voter suppression.
- New ID rules have raised concerns about voter suppression among minority communities.