Top 28 Slang For Suppress – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to expressing the act of suppressing something, language has its own unique way of capturing this concept. Join us as we unravel a list of slang terms that encapsulate the idea of suppression in a modern and relatable way. From casual conversations to online interactions, these expressions are sure to add a touch of flair to your vocabulary while keeping you in the loop with the latest linguistic trends. Get ready to dive into a world of words that pack a punch!

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1. Squash

To squash something means to suppress or eliminate it, often forcefully or abruptly. It can refer to silencing an idea, argument, or opposition.

For example, “The government tried to squash the protests by deploying the military.”
In a debate, one might say, “Let’s squash this misconception once and for all.”
A manager might tell an employee, “We need to squash these rumors before they spread further.”

2. Shut down

To shut down something means to dismiss or end it abruptly, often in a way that prevents further discussion or action. It can refer to suppressing an idea, argument, or opposition.

For instance, “The committee shut down any attempts to change the policy.”
In a meeting, someone might say, “Let’s shut down this proposal and move on to the next agenda item.”
A teacher might shut down a student’s argument by saying, “I appreciate your perspective, but let’s stay focused on the topic.”

3. Stifle

To stifle something means to suppress or restrain it, often by preventing it from being expressed or heard. It can refer to suppressing emotions, ideas, or opposition.

For example, “She stifled a yawn during the boring presentation.”
In a discussion, someone might say, “Don’t stifle creativity by shooting down every idea.”
A parent might stifle a child’s tantrum by distracting them with a toy or activity.

4. Hush up

To hush up means to quiet or silence someone or something, often by exerting control or authority. It can refer to suppressing information, rumors, or opposition.

For instance, “The company tried to hush up the scandal by offering settlements to the victims.”
In a heated argument, one person might tell the other, “Hush up and let me finish my point.”
A government might hush up protests by imposing strict laws and censorship.

5. Quash

To quash something means to overturn or suppress it, often through legal means or authority. It can refer to suppressing a decision, ruling, or opposition.

For example, “The court quashed the conviction due to lack of evidence.”
In a debate, one might say, “Let’s quash these false accusations with the facts.”
A leader might quash dissent by dismissing or punishing those who oppose them.

6. Muffle

To muffle means to suppress or reduce the sound of something. It can also be used metaphorically to mean to quiet or silence something.

For example, “He muffled his laughter with his hand.”
In a discussion about censorship, one might say, “The government is trying to muffle the voices of dissent.”
A person might use the term to describe their own actions, saying, “I tried to muffle my anger and remain calm.”

7. Silence

To silence means to make someone or something quiet or to stop them from speaking or making noise. It can also be used figuratively to mean to suppress or censor something.

For instance, “The teacher silenced the class by raising her hand.”
In a conversation about freedom of speech, someone might argue, “We should never silence opposing viewpoints.”
A person might use the term to describe their own actions, saying, “I silenced my doubts and took the leap.”

8. Smother

To smother means to completely cover or suffocate something, often in order to suppress or extinguish it. It can also be used metaphorically to mean to suppress or stifle something.

For example, “She smothered the flames with a blanket.”
In a discussion about emotions, one might say, “I try not to smother my feelings and allow myself to express them.”
A person might use the term to describe their own actions, saying, “I smothered my excitement and tried to act nonchalant.”

9. Quell

To quell means to put an end to something, especially by force, and to suppress or subdue it. It can also be used to mean to calm or pacify something.

For instance, “The police quelled the riot by using tear gas.”
In a conversation about protests, someone might argue, “The government should address the root causes of the unrest instead of just trying to quell it.”
A person might use the term to describe their own actions, saying, “I tried to quell my nerves before the big presentation.”

10. Curb

To curb means to restrain or control something, often to prevent it from becoming excessive or getting out of hand. It can also be used to mean to suppress or limit something.

For example, “She tried to curb her spending by creating a budget.”
In a discussion about social media, one might say, “We need to curb the spread of misinformation online.”
A person might use the term to describe their own actions, saying, “I’m trying to curb my impulsive behavior and think before I act.”

11. Clamp down

To clamp down means to impose strict restrictions or control on something or someone. It is often used in the context of suppressing certain activities or behaviors.

For example, “The government decided to clamp down on illegal gambling.”
A manager might say, “We need to clamp down on employees using company resources for personal use.”
In a discussion about crime prevention, someone might suggest, “We should clamp down on drug trafficking to reduce crime rates.”

12. Bottle up

To bottle up means to suppress or repress one’s emotions or feelings, often by keeping them to oneself instead of expressing them.

For instance, “She tends to bottle up her frustrations instead of talking about them.”
A friend might advise, “Don’t bottle up your emotions, it’s important to express how you feel.”
In a conversation about mental health, someone might say, “Bottling up emotions can lead to increased stress and anxiety.”

13. Hush

To hush means to silence or quieten something or someone, often by suppressing noise or preventing the spread of information.

For example, “The teacher hushed the students so they could focus on the lesson.”
A parent might say, “Hush, the baby is sleeping.”
In a discussion about confidentiality, someone might mention, “We need to keep this information hush for now.”

14. Crush

To crush means to suppress or defeat someone or something completely, often in a forceful or overwhelming manner.

For instance, “The military was able to crush the rebellion within a few days.”
A sports commentator might say, “The home team crushed their opponents with a final score of 10-0.”
In a conversation about competition, someone might say, “Our goal is to crush the competition and become the market leader.”

15. Hush-hush

Hush-hush refers to something that is kept secret or concealed, often to suppress information or prevent it from becoming widely known.

For example, “There are hush-hush negotiations happening behind the scenes.”
A gossip might say, “I heard some hush-hush rumors about a celebrity scandal.”
In a discussion about classified information, someone might mention, “Certain government operations are kept hush-hush for national security reasons.”

16. Stomp out

To “stomp out” means to forcefully and decisively stop or eliminate something.

For example, “We need to stomp out corruption in our government.”
In a discussion about a harmful rumor, someone might say, “Let’s stomp out these false accusations.”
A social activist might declare, “Our goal is to stomp out systemic racism and inequality.”

17. Quench

To “quench” in the context of suppression means to satisfy or extinguish a particular need or desire.

For instance, “She quenched her thirst with a cold glass of water.”
In a discussion about curbing violence, someone might suggest, “We need to find ways to quench the anger and frustration in our society.”
A person discussing their emotional state might say, “I’m trying to quench my loneliness by surrounding myself with friends and loved ones.”

18. Dampen

To “dampen” means to diminish or reduce the intensity or impact of something.

For example, “The rain dampened the mood of the outdoor party.”
In a conversation about suppressing enthusiasm, someone might say, “Don’t let their negativity dampen your excitement.”
A person discussing the effect of criticism might explain, “Harsh criticism can dampen a person’s creativity and motivation.”

19. Hush money

“Hush money” refers to a sum of money paid to someone in order to keep them quiet or prevent them from revealing information.

For instance, “The company paid hush money to the whistleblower to prevent the scandal from becoming public.”
In a discussion about bribery, someone might say, “Politicians often receive hush money to protect certain interests.”
A person discussing a high-profile court case might mention, “There were rumors of hush money being offered to witnesses in order to sway their testimony.”

20. Muzzle

To “muzzle” means to silence or restrain someone or something.

For example, “The government tried to muzzle the press by imposing strict censorship.”
In a conversation about freedom of speech, someone might argue, “We should never muzzle individuals’ right to express their opinions.”
A person discussing a controlling relationship might say, “He tried to muzzle me by constantly criticizing and belittling my ideas.”

21. Gag

To prevent someone from speaking or expressing their opinion. “Gag” is often used metaphorically to describe the act of suppressing speech or information.

For example, a journalist might write, “The government’s attempt to gag the press was met with widespread criticism.”
In a political debate, one might accuse their opponent of trying to gag them, saying, “You’re just trying to silence any dissenting voices.”
A whistleblower might fear retaliation and say, “I can’t speak out against corruption; they’ll gag me.”

22. Silenced

To forcibly or effectively stop someone from speaking or expressing their thoughts or opinions. “Silenced” implies a deliberate act of suppression.

For instance, a student might feel silenced in a classroom where their ideas are consistently dismissed.
In a heated argument, one person might shout, “You can’t silence me! I have the right to speak my mind!”
A journalist might write, “The government silenced dissenting voices by shutting down independent media outlets.”

23. Shush

To tell someone to be quiet or to suppress noise. “Shush” is an informal and often gentle way of asking someone to stop talking.

For example, in a library, a librarian might say, “Shush, please. We need to maintain a quiet environment.”
During a movie, a person might turn to their friend and whisper, “Shush, the movie is starting.”
A parent might say to their child, “Shush, it’s nap time. We need to be quiet.”

24. Stymie

To hinder or prevent progress or action. “Stymie” implies a frustrating or challenging situation that suppresses or restricts forward movement.

For instance, a lack of funding can stymie a research project, preventing it from moving forward.
In a game of chess, one player might say, “I’m trying to make a move, but my opponent keeps stymieing my plans.”
A business owner might say, “High taxes and regulations are stymieing small business growth.”

25. Cover up

To hide or suppress information or evidence. “Cover up” suggests a deliberate attempt to prevent something from being known or revealed.

For example, a company might attempt to cover up a product defect to avoid negative publicity.
In a criminal investigation, a detective might say, “Someone is trying to cover up the truth; we need to dig deeper.”
A whistleblower might reveal, “There’s a massive cover-up happening within the government.”

26. Snuff out

This phrase means to put an end to something abruptly or forcefully. It is often used to describe suppressing or eliminating something, such as an idea, a rumor, or a problem.

For example, “The government tried to snuff out the protest by deploying riot police.”
In a conversation about competition, someone might say, “The new product launch will snuff out any chances of the competitor’s success.”
A person discussing a disagreement might suggest, “Let’s snuff out this argument and find a compromise.”

27. Put the lid on

This expression means to suppress or stop something from happening or spreading. It is often used to describe preventing the disclosure of information or controlling a situation.

For instance, “The company quickly put the lid on the scandal to avoid negative publicity.”
In a discussion about a potential problem, someone might say, “We need to put the lid on this issue before it becomes a major concern.”
A person talking about gossip might warn, “Be careful not to spread rumors. Let’s put the lid on this before it gets out of hand.”

28. Squelch

This term means to suppress, silence, or crush something, such as an idea, a sound, or a rebellion. It implies forcefully stopping or eliminating something.

For example, “The government used its power to squelch any opposition to its policies.”
In a conversation about a rumor, someone might say, “Let’s squelch this gossip before it spreads further.”
A person discussing a protest might comment, “The police used tear gas to squelch the demonstration and disperse the crowd.”