2 VERB If a natural function or reaction of your body is suppressed , it is stopped, for example by drugs or illness. □ [be V -ed] The reproduction and growth of cancerous cells can be suppressed by radiation. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The infection leads to suppression of the immune response.
3 VERB If you suppress your feelings or reactions, you do not express them, even though you might want to. □ [V n] Liz thought of Barry and suppressed a smile. □ [V -ed] The Professor said that deep sleep allowed suppressed anxieties to surface. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A mother's suppression of her own feelings can cause problems.
4 VERB If someone suppresses a piece of information, they prevent other people from learning it. □ [V n] At no time did they try to persuade me to suppress the information. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The inspectors found no evidence of suppression of official documents.
5 VERB If someone or something suppresses a process or activity, they stop it continuing or developing. □ [V n] Technology helps to suppress inflation by boosting efficiency and lowering costs.
sup|pres|sant /səpre sənt/ (suppressants ) N‑COUNT [n N ] A suppressant is a drug which is used to stop one of the natural functions of the body. [MEDICAL ] □ Nicotine is a powerful appetite suppressant.
sup|pres|sor /səpre sə r / ADJ [ADJ n] Suppressor cells or genes are ones that prevent a cancer from developing or spreading. [MEDICAL ]
supra|na|tion|al /suː prənæ ʃənəl/ also supra-national ADJ [ADJ n] A supranational organization or authority involves or relates to more than one country. □ The liberal position holds that supranational bodies are as important as nation states.
su|prema|cist /suːpre məs I st/ (supremacists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A supremacist is someone who believes that one group of people, usually white people, should be more powerful and have more influence than another group. □ …a white supremacist group.
su|prema|cy /suːpre məsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If one group of people has supremacy over another group, they have more political or military power than the other group. □ The conservative old guard had re-established its political supremacy. [Also + over ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If someone or something has supremacy over another person or thing, they are better. □ In the United States Open final, she retained overall supremacy. [Also + over ]
su|preme ◆◆◇ /suːpriː m/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Supreme is used in the title of a person or an official group to indicate that they are at the highest level in a particular organization or system. □ MacArthur was Supreme Commander for the allied powers in the Pacific. □ …the Supreme Court.
2 ADJ You use supreme to emphasize that a quality or thing is very great. [EMPHASIS ] □ Her approval was of supreme importance. ● su|preme|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ She gets on with her job and does it supremely well.
su|pre|mo /suːpriː moʊ/ (supremos ) N‑COUNT A supremo is someone who is considered to have the most authority or skill in a particular organization, situation, or area of activity. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Her new role as fashion supremo is something she can really get her teeth into.
Supt in AM, use Supt. Supt is a written abbreviation for superintendent when it is part of the title of someone in the police force. □ Det Supt Bassett was in charge of the murder enquiry.
sur|charge /sɜː r tʃɑː r dʒ/ (surcharges ) N‑COUNT A surcharge is an extra payment of money in addition to the usual payment for something. It is added for a specific reason, for example by a company because costs have risen or by a government as a tax. □ The prices of overseas holidays are subject to surcharges.
sure ◆◆◆ /ʃʊə r / (surer , surest )
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that, ADJ wh] If you are sure that something is true, you are certain that it is true. If you are not sure about something, you do not know for certain what the true situation is. □ He'd never been in a class before and he was not even sure that he should have been teaching. □ The president has never been sure which direction he wanted to go in on this issue. □ [+ about ] It is impossible to be sure about the value of land. [Also + of ]
2 ADJ If someone is sure of getting something, they will definitely get it or they think they will definitely get it. □ [+ of ] It's better to pay so that you can be sure of getting quality.
3 PHRASE If you say that something is sure to happen, you are emphasizing your belief that it will happen. [EMPHASIS ] □ With over 80 beaches to choose from, you are sure to find a place to lay your towel.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Sure is used to emphasize that something such as a sign or ability is reliable or accurate. [EMPHASIS ] □ Sharpe's leg and shoulder began to ache, a sure sign of rain. □ She has a sure grasp of social issues such as literacy, poverty and child care.
5 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If you tell someone to be sure to do something, you mean that they must not forget to do it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Be sure to read about how mozzarella is made, on page 65. □ Be sure you get your daily quota of calcium.
6 CONVENTION Sure is an informal way of saying 'yes' or 'all right'. [FORMULAE ] □ 'He rang you?'—'Sure. Last night.' □ 'I'd like to be alone, O.K?'—'Sure. O.K.'
7 ADV [ADV before v] You can use sure in order to emphasize what you are saying. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ 'Has the whole world just gone crazy?'—'Sure looks that way, doesn't it.'