suppress a feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suppress a feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of consciously controlling or restraining an emotional response. Example: "She tried to suppress her feeling of anger during the meeting, but it was evident on her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Trying to suppress a feeling that comes on strong – such as the outrage you may feel after being issued a threat – can be almost impossible.

Harvard University

It is impossible not to sympathise or suppress a feeling of rage over the sufferings of these people.

Independent

Several hours later, while trying to suppress a feeling of horror, alarm, incredulity, bafflement and a kind of cold rational rage, I woke up.

The Guardian

On May 6th the president also demonstrated that he is willing to annoy the teachers' unions, who regard Washington's school-voucher programme as the spawn of the devil.Enemies of promiseYet it is hard to suppress a feeling that all this is too good to be true.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Standing on the 15th floor of the Chrysler Group headquarters, I have a hard time suppressing a feeling of awe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, to get to that view of things, I had to suppress an irrational feeling that McNamara had won big in a game he shouldn't have been entitled to play.

The New Yorker

It is difficult to suppress a ' me- too' feeling and the question raised by Vandenbroucke comes to mind: for whom do these guidelines toll [ 4]?

European Journal of Epidemiology

There is some pain, but the brain has an antidote: endorphins — neurochemicals more potent than Prozac, which suppress pain and induce a feeling of wellbeing.

The Guardian

It turns out that a painful touch or heat sensation can actually suppress the feeling of a chemical itch (not that this seems like a particularly good trade-off).

Independent

I tried to suppress all feelings and desires that I had; I just totally buried them.

Huffington Post

In order to live in that world, she had to suppress a lot of real feelings.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional experiences, use “suppress a feeling” to describe a conscious effort to control or restrain an emotional response in the moment, especially in situations where outward expression is undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using “suppress a feeling” as a long-term strategy for managing emotions. While it can be necessary in certain situations, consistently suppressing feelings without addressing their underlying causes can lead to negative psychological effects. Instead, consider healthier coping mechanisms like therapy or mindful expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suppress a feeling" typically functions as a verb phrase where "suppress" is the verb and "a feeling" is the object. It describes the action of consciously or unconsciously holding back or restraining an emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suppress a feeling" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of consciously holding back an emotional response. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. Though relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across diverse contexts like news, academia, and science, indicating its versatility. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, as consistently suppressing feelings can have negative psychological consequences. Alternatives such as "stifle an emotion" or "repress a feeling" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. As always, understanding the context and potential implications is vital for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stifle an emotion

Focuses on preventing the emotion from being expressed at all.

Repress a feeling

Implies a more forceful and potentially unconscious act of keeping feelings down.

Hold back a feeling

Suggests a temporary restraint, implying the feeling might eventually surface.

Control an emotion

Indicates a broader management of emotions, not necessarily suppression.

Curb a feeling

Suggests limiting or restraining the intensity of a feeling.

Subdue a feeling

Implies bringing a strong feeling under control.

Keep a lid on a feeling

An idiomatic expression for controlling and concealing an emotion.

Muffle a feeling

Suggests reducing the intensity or outward expression of a feeling.

Bottle up a feeling

Implies containing emotions internally, often with negative consequences.

Conceal an emotion

Focuses on hiding the emotion from others.

FAQs

How can I use "suppress a feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "suppress a feeling" to describe the act of consciously holding back an emotional response. For example, "She had to suppress a feeling of disappointment when she didn't get the job."

What are some alternatives to "suppress a feeling"?

Alternatives to "suppress a feeling" include "stifle an emotion", "repress a feeling", or "hold back a feeling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always healthy to "suppress a feeling"?

While sometimes necessary in the short term, consistently suppressing feelings can be detrimental to your mental health. It's often more beneficial to process and express emotions in a healthy way.

What is the difference between "suppress a feeling" and "control an emotion"?

"Suppress a feeling" implies holding back or restraining an emotion, while "control an emotion" suggests managing and directing the emotion in a constructive way. Suppression is more about preventing expression, while control is about guiding the emotional response.