Cool MateConceal vs Suppress
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Conceal
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1verb
Suppress
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Suppress
| Conceal | Suppress | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsiːl//🇺🇸 //kənˈsil// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈpres/","/səˈpresɪz/","/səˈprest/","/səˈpresɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈpres/","/səˈpresɪz/","/səˈprest/","/səˈpresɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To hide something so that it cannot be seen or found. | To stop something from happening or being expressed. |
| Example | He tried to conceal his feelings from everyone. | The government tried to suppress the political dissent during the protests. |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | conceal from others, conceal the truth, conceal evidence | brutally, ruthlessly, violently, attempt to, seek to, try to, an attempt to suppress something, completely, effectively, deliberately, attempt to, seek to, try to, an attempt to suppress something, barely, hardly, instantly, be unable to, cannot, try to |
| Antonyms | reveal, expose, disclose | express, release, unleash |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'reveal' - opposite meaning., Using 'concel' - misspelling., Confusing with 'disguise' - different meaning. | Confused with 'repress' — 'suppress' means to stop something actively, while 'repress' means to hold back feelings., Using 'suppress' without an object — always specify what is being suppressed, like information or emotions., Mixing up 'suppress' with 'sustain' — 'sustain' means to maintain, while 'suppress' means to stop. |
| Usage notes | Use 'conceal' in formal contexts, such as writing or serious discussions. Avoid casual conversation. | This word is typically used in formal contexts. It can refer to controlling emotions, information, or actions. Avoid using it in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Conceal vs Suppress
What's the difference between Conceal and Suppress?
Conceal: To hide something so that it cannot be seen or found. Suppress: To stop something from happening or being expressed.
Which is more common: Conceal and Suppress?
Suppress is the most common in everyday English.
Are Conceal and Suppress the same CEFR level?
Conceal: C1, Suppress: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Conceal and Suppress?
Conceal: verb, Suppress: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Conceal: He tried to conceal his feelings from everyone. Suppress: The government tried to suppress the political dissent during the protests.
Can I use Conceal and Suppress interchangeably?
Not always. Conceal and Suppress are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.