suppression of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suppression of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing censorship, mental health, or philosophical discussions about freedom of expression and the mind. Example: "The regime's policies led to a widespread suppression of thought, stifling creativity and innovation among the populace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was an age of Christian pre-eminence, an age of suppression of thought so dark and deep and long that it inhibited and set back progress in science for 1,500 years.

The New York Times

A positive review was also given by Slate journalist Phil Plait, who said that he sees the episode "as making the more interesting and bigger point about suppression of thought and the grandeur of freedom of exploration of ideas".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The title of the installation is "Cuando las gallinas mean," an abbreviation of a Caribbean colloquialism often applied to children about the suppression of thoughts and emotions.

The New York Times

This goes against the predictions of the thought suppression literature, which might suggest there would be a 'rebound' following emotion suppression analogous to that often seen following the suppression of thoughts (e.g. Wegner, 1994).

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Responses to memories were assessed with shortened versions of the Response to Intrusions Questionnaire [ 31, 32] assessing rumination (e.g., "I dwell on what life would have been like if the bombing had not happened") and suppression of thoughts and emotions (e.g., "I try hard to push them out of my mind").

BMC Psychiatry

The trouncing of long-haired intellectuals and shrill anarchists always appeals to the average man, although it may really mean the suppression of liberal thought (the American Constitution was the work of long-haired intellectuals) and the elimination of political dissidence.

The New Yorker

No harm in that, particularly when they can argue that the promotion of propaganda and suppression of free thought have not been arranged by the commercial arm of the fair but by the cultural bureaucrats at the British Council.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is through him that some become involved in the sorry tale that destroyed so many of their generation: the hounding of the intelligentsia and the periodic suppression of free thought and any claim to difference, all in the name of the true, pure Turk.

The Guardian - Books

Classical Daoist philosophy was successfully extinguished by the imperial suppression of analytic thought.

SEP

As the play proceeds, Heavenly Hillsboro, put under the microscope by the modern, secular America that was emerging in the 1920s, is convicted of ignorance, intolerance, gross materialism, hypocrisy, bigotry, nativism, prohibition, sexual repression, and the suppression of free thought and inquiry.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

On a psychophysiological level similar findings have been reported in thought suppression experiments showing elevated electrodermal responses after suppression of arousing thoughts in subjects scoring high in the WBSI [33].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or political contexts, use "suppression of thought" to highlight systemic efforts to control or limit intellectual freedom. For mental health contexts, consider alternatives like "thought suppression" for individual cognitive processes.

Common error

Avoid using "suppression of thought" when you mean "thought suppression", a psychological term referring to the conscious effort to stop particular thoughts. "Suppression of thought" typically describes broader societal or political contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suppression of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act or state of controlling or limiting ideas. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suppression of thought" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe the act or state of limiting intellectual freedom. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to distinguish it from the psychological term "thought suppression". The phrase is typically used in formal and neutral registers, frequently appearing in news media and academic contexts. When writing, consider related phrases like "censorship of ideas" or "repression of thought" to convey subtle differences in meaning. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

censorship of ideas

Focuses specifically on the act of censoring ideas, emphasizing the prevention of their dissemination.

repression of thought

Highlights the forceful or authoritarian aspect of suppressing thought, suggesting a more active and potentially violent form of control.

curtailment of expression

Emphasizes limiting or restricting the ability to express thoughts, rather than the thoughts themselves.

stifling of creativity

Focuses on the impact of suppressed thought on creative processes.

intellectual oppression

Highlights the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power that limits freedom of thought.

thought control

Implies a direct manipulation or control over people's thinking processes.

restriction of inquiry

Addresses the limitation or obstruction of intellectual investigation and questioning.

inhibition of ideas

Highlights the prevention or restraint of ideas from developing or being expressed.

freedom of thought

Represents the direct opposite, emphasizing the ability to think without constraint.

intellectual conformity

Highlights forced agreement with prevailing beliefs or ideas.

FAQs

How is "suppression of thought" different from "censorship"?

"Suppression of thought" is a broader concept that encompasses any act of limiting or controlling ideas, while "censorship" specifically refers to the "censorship" of expression, often by government or other authorities.

What are some synonyms for "suppression of thought"?

Alternatives include "censorship of ideas", "repression of thought", and "curtailment of expression", each carrying slightly different nuances.

In what contexts is "suppression of thought" typically used?

This phrase is commonly used in discussions about political oppression, historical periods of intellectual control, and analyses of authoritarian regimes. It can also relate to discussions about the impact on individual freedoms.

Is "suppression of thought" always a negative phenomenon?

Yes, the phrase inherently carries a negative connotation, implying the forceful or unjust limitation of intellectual freedom. There are very rare cases when "thought suppression" can be beneficial, but such cases are in a personal level and are not related to "suppression of thought".