How to pronounce suppress
Say it like suh-PRES. Suppress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suppress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- PRES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suppress pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PRESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of suppress
American and British speakers say suppress in essentially the same way: /səˈprɛs/ in the US and /səˈprɛs/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-PRES.
What does suppress mean?
- bring under control by force or authority“suppress a nascent uprising”“stamp down on littering”
- come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority“The government oppresses political activists”
- consciously restrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior“suppress a smile”“he let his anger bottle up until he exploded”
Where does suppress come from?
From Latin suppressus, perfect passive participle of supprimō (“press down or under”), from sub (“under”) + premō (“press”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suppress
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suppress.
Questions about saying suppress
How do you pronounce suppress?
Say suh-PRES. The American pronunciation is /səˈprɛs/. In British English it is /səˈprɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suppress?
Suppress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRES). Broken into parts: suh · PRES.
Do Americans and Brits say suppress the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈprɛs/ and the British form is /səˈprɛs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.