suppress tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suppress tears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of holding back or controlling one's emotions, particularly in situations where someone might cry. Example: "She tried to suppress tears as she listened to the heartbreaking news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On Wednesday, Ms. Clinton held forth on gay rights and voter outreach at a lunch for the Human Rights Campaign, earning two standing ovations and telling the crowd that she had been straining to suppress tears all week.

The New York Times

The back of my throat constricted, not out of frustration, but rather to suppress tears.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I spent the whole time suppressing tears of laughter.

The Guardian

"They will let my son go for money," she said, suppressing tears.

The New York Times

In this memoir, people are constantly breaking into, or barely suppressing, tears.

The New York Times - Books

Thus, suppressing tears of both sorrow and joy, I record the circumstances that have resulted [in my compilation of this work].

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All of this Browning suggests in her sulky pouts, her suppressed tears, her angry blankness: especially when talking to her alcoholic mother on the phone.

The Guardian - Film

She suppresses tears, then trembles, cries, crumples — she's always collapsing — and her neck chords stand out like ship's rigging.

The New Yorker

"If we continue to live in our memories, to live at the cemetery, we will never go forward," Malkov said, suppressing tears.

The New York Times - Sports

The tender farewell to Gil Grissom William L. Petersenn) as he retires from the Las Vegas Crime Scene Investigation unit was stretched over two episodes and ends Thursday night on CBS in a tableau of bitten lower lips and suppressed tears.

The New York Times - Arts

"I shut out memories of it," she says, suppressing tears.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suppress tears" when you want to emphasize the act of actively holding back or controlling an urge to cry, often in situations where showing emotion is deemed inappropriate or undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "suppress tears" excessively in overly sentimental or dramatic writing, as it can come across as cliché or insincere. Consider showing the character's emotion through actions and internal thoughts instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suppress tears" functions as a verb phrase, where "suppress" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("tears"). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, indicating its role in depicting active emotional control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suppress tears" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the action of consciously holding back tears. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is suitable for various writing contexts. While not extremely common, it finds its place in news, formal documents, and scientific publications. Semantically similar phrases include "hold back tears" and "stifle tears". When using "suppress tears", be mindful of overuse in overly dramatic contexts to avoid clichés. Its neutral register allows it to be versatile, yet its impact is strongest when highlighting active emotional control in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back tears

Focuses on the physical act of preventing tears from falling.

stifle tears

Emphasizes the effort to restrain or smother the emotion.

fight back tears

Highlights the struggle against crying.

choke back tears

Suggests a feeling of constriction in the throat while trying not to cry.

restrain tears

Implies a conscious effort to control the emotional response.

conceal sadness

Shifts focus from the physical tears to the underlying emotion.

mask grief

Highlights the act of hiding sorrow or mourning.

bottle up emotions

Describes the general act of containing feelings, not just sadness.

keep a stiff upper lip

An idiom suggesting maintaining composure in the face of adversity.

bear up

Focuses on enduring hardship without showing emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "suppress tears" to describe someone actively trying not to cry, such as, "She tried to "suppress tears" as she listened to the heartbreaking news."

What are some alternatives to "suppress tears"?

Alternatives include "hold back tears", "stifle tears", or "fight back tears", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to "suppress tears" or let them flow?

Whether to "suppress tears" or let them flow depends on the situation and personal preference. Sometimes, suppressing tears is necessary for composure, while other times, allowing oneself to cry can be cathartic.

What does it mean to "choke back tears"?

To "choke back tears" is similar to "suppress tears" but suggests a stronger emotional response that is difficult to control, often implying a feeling of constriction in the throat.