suppressed smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suppressed smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that someone is trying to hide or control, often in situations where they want to appear serious or composed. Example: "Despite the serious nature of the meeting, she couldn't help but show a suppressed smile at his witty remark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When he's silent, his glinting eyes and suppressed smile suggest a secret held in reserve.

The New Yorker

She wanted a sinister approach made up of gestures in the shadows, a meaningful glance here, a suppressed smile there.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Italians were particularly upset by an exchange of glances and what some took to be suppressed smiles between Mrs. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy at a news conference on Sunday, when they were asked whether they thought Italy could satisfy the demands being made of it.

The New York Times

They are kind, pretending to suppress smiles as if something uncontrollably amusing were taking place.

The New York Times - Arts

"Gonna cause difficulties for the honor guard," wrote a person with the name "Yuan Zhubi's microblog," adding a yellow face suppressing smiles.

The New York Times

When he emerged from behind the courtroom's velvet curtain one morning in 1995 sporting four gold stripes on each sleeve of his robe — with some of his colleagues struggling to suppress smiles — many people saw pomposity, but I saw a wry or maybe even self-mocking comment on the boredom of basic black after 23 years on the court.

The New York Times

Hayes suppressed a smile.

The New Yorker

The receptionist suppressed a smile.

The New York Times - Magazine

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Abe, who suppressed a smile.

The New York Times - Travel

Really?" She suppressed a smile as she opened her handbag and dug around in its messy contents.

The New Yorker

When Mr. McMillan called Mr. Bloomberg "a nice guy, a rich guy, a good-looking man," the mayor suppressed a smile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suppressed smile" to subtly indicate inner amusement or satisfaction that a character is trying to conceal, adding depth to their emotional expression.

Common error

Avoid using "suppressed smile" when you intend to convey genuine happiness. The phrase implies a degree of restraint or hidden emotion, and using it inappropriately can make the character appear insincere or even malicious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suppressed smile" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the type of smile. Based on Ludwig AI, it describes a smile someone is trying to hide or control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suppressed smile" is grammatically correct and used to describe a smile that someone is trying to hide. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears mostly in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "restrained smile" and "stifled smile", which share similar meanings. When using the phrase, consider the implications of restraint and hidden emotion it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrained smile

Indicates a controlled or reserved smile, similar to suppressing one's true feelings.

stifled smile

Suggests a smile that is forcibly held back, often due to an inappropriate situation.

contained smile

Implies a smile that is kept within bounds, not fully expressed.

smothered smile

Conveys a smile that is quickly covered or hidden.

repressed smile

Highlights the act of consciously holding back a smile.

subdued smile

A more gentle or quiet smile, lacking exuberance.

held-back smile

Directly indicates that the smile is being kept from fully forming.

controlled smile

Emphasizes the conscious effort to manage the smile.

guarded smile

Suggests a smile that is cautious or wary, not fully trusting.

concealed smile

Indicates that the smile is intentionally hidden from view.

FAQs

How can I use "suppressed smile" in a sentence?

You can use "suppressed smile" to describe a situation where someone is trying not to smile, often because the situation is serious or they don't want to reveal their true feelings. For example, "Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't help but show a "suppressed smile" at his witty remark".

What's the difference between "suppressed smile" and "subdued smile"?

"Suppressed smile" implies an active effort to hold back a smile, while "subdued smile" suggests a quieter, less exuberant smile in general. The first one is holding something, the second one is low intensity.

What can I say instead of "suppressed smile"?

You can use alternatives like "restrained smile", "stifled smile", or "contained smile" depending on the context.

Is "suppressed smile" formal or informal?

"Suppressed smile" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the writing. It is most commonly found in news and media.