suppress emotions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suppress emotions" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of controlling or hiding one's emotions, usually in a deliberate or conscious manner. Example: - She was able to suppress her emotions and keep a calm demeanor during the difficult meeting. - He often struggles to suppress his emotions, leading to outbursts of anger. - It's not healthy to constantly suppress your emotions, it's important to find healthy ways to express them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's unwise to suppress emotions in negotiations, and not just because suppression is likely to lead to worse outcomes and greater rancor.

Harvard University

We know, for example, that men tend to suppress emotions more than women.

Harvard Business Review

Competition, perfectionism, ambition, rigidity and tendency to suppress emotions are some of the common psychological and behavioural characteristics of young and adult with headache [43].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This result lends support to common psychological and behavioral characteristics (e.g., competition, perfectionism, ambition, rigidity and tendency to suppress emotions) described in previous studies including youth [46] and adults with migraines [47].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Many people suppress emotions in their bodies instead of releasing them through a healthy outlet.

Huffington Post

Teachers have to manufacture emotions, such a joy and enthusiasm, and teachers have to suppress emotions, such as annoyance or anger.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

As expected, people prone to suppress emotion and avoid intimacy donated much less to people- or animal-related charities than those who are securely attached.

University of California, Berkeley

Optimal behavior is to suppress emotion and instead make calculated, rational decisions, like a computer.

TechCrunch

Henceforth the idea that suppressing emotions backfires shall be referred to as the 'maladaptive suppression hypothesis'.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

And both suggest entrapment by suppressed emotions.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was like pulling out a plug which released the suppressed emotions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional experiences, consider the context and choose the most appropriate term to convey the specific nuance of emotional control or expression. For instance, use "suppress emotions" when referring to a conscious effort to hold back feelings, but consider alternatives like "repress emotions" or "bottle up emotions" when describing unconscious or unhealthy patterns.

Common error

Avoid using "suppress emotions" as a blanket term for all forms of emotional regulation. Sometimes, managing emotions involves healthy expression or reappraisal, rather than simply blocking feelings. Be specific in your language to accurately reflect the emotional process being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suppress emotions" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "suppress" is the verb indicating the action of holding back or concealing, and "emotions" is the noun representing the object of this action. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a common and correct phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suppress emotions" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of consciously or unconsciously holding back one's feelings. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread use across various contexts. While frequently appearing in News & Media and Scientific discussions, it's crucial to remember that consistent emotional suppression can have negative consequences, as alternatives such as "expressing emotions" or "managing emotions" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Understanding the nuance behind this phrase allows for more precise and effective communication regarding emotional experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stifle emotions

Focuses on restraining or holding back emotions, emphasizing the act of preventing expression.

repress emotions

Suggests a more unconscious or psychological blocking of emotions, often involuntary.

bottle up emotions

Implies accumulating emotions internally without expressing them, often leading to negative consequences.

hold back emotions

Emphasizes the act of consciously preventing emotions from showing.

mask emotions

Highlights the act of concealing true feelings behind a facade.

conceal emotions

Focuses on hiding emotions from others, often deliberately.

control emotions

Suggests managing or regulating emotions, which may or may not involve suppression.

curb emotions

Implies restraining or checking emotions to maintain composure.

hide emotions

A general term for keeping emotions out of sight, whether consciously or unconsciously.

internalize emotions

Focuses on keeping emotions within oneself, rather than expressing them externally.

FAQs

What does "suppress emotions" mean?

The phrase "suppress emotions" refers to consciously or unconsciously holding back or concealing one's feelings, rather than expressing them openly.

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

You might say, "She tried to suppress emotions during the difficult meeting" or "He learned to suppress emotions as a coping mechanism."

What are some alternatives to "suppress emotions"?

You can use alternatives like "stifle emotions", "repress emotions", or "bottle up emotions" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it healthy to "suppress emotions"?

While there may be situations where temporarily suppressing emotions is necessary, consistently suppressing emotions can be detrimental to mental and physical health. Finding healthy ways to express and process emotions is generally recommended.