What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Suppress vs Downplay - What's the difference?

suppress | downplay |

As verbs the difference between suppress and downplay

is that suppress is to put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue while downplay is to de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.

suppress

English

Verb

  • to put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue
    • ''Political dissent was brutally suppressed .
  • to restrain or repress an expression
    • ''I struggled to suppress my smile.
  • (psychiatry) to exclude undesirable thoughts from one's mind
    • He unconsciously suppressed his memories of abuse.
  • to prevent publication
    • The government suppressed the findings of their research about the true state of the economy.
  • to stop a flow or stream
    • The rescue team managed to suppress the flow of oil by blasting the drilling hole.
    ''Hot blackcurrant juice mixed with honey may suppress cough.
  • (US, legal) to forbid the use of evidence at trial because it is improper or was improperly obtained
  • (electronics) to reduce unwanted frequencies in a signal
  • (obsolete) to hold in place, to keep low

    • Related terms

    * suppression * suppressor

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    *

    downplay

    English

    Alternative forms

    * play down

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
    • He would sometimes downplay his Princeton education by saying simply that he went to school in New Jersey.

    Usage notes

    * The synonymous alternative form (play down) is slightly more formal, or slightly less informal.

    Anagrams

    *