Reduce vs. Suppress: Know the Difference
By Dua Fatima & Shumaila Saeed || Updated on March 4, 2024
Reduce involves decreasing the size, quantity, or degree of something, whereas suppress means to forcibly stop or prevent something from happening.
Key Differences
Reduce refers to the act of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. It can apply to various contexts, such as reducing waste, costs, or weight. On the other hand, suppress involves forcefully putting an end to something, such as emotions, activities, or uprisings, often implying a deliberate and sometimes temporary action.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
While reducing something often involves a gradual, deliberate process aimed at diminishing certain aspects, suppression usually entails an immediate and forceful action to halt or conceal something. For example, reducing stress might involve lifestyle changes, whereas suppressing stress could involve ignoring or concealing the symptoms.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Reduction is typically seen as a positive or neutral action, aiming for efficiency or improvement, such as reducing energy consumption. Conversely, suppression often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a restriction or denial of expression, like suppressing dissent.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
In environmental contexts, reducing emissions is a strategy to gradually decrease greenhouse gases, focusing on long-term sustainability. Suppressing emissions, while not a common term, would imply directly stopping emissions suddenly, which is less practical or achievable.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
In psychology, reducing anxiety might involve therapy or meditation, focusing on addressing the root causes. Suppressing anxiety, however, refers to temporarily hiding or ignoring the symptoms without dealing with the underlying issues.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To make something smaller or less in amount
To forcibly stop or prevent something from happening
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Connotation
Often positive, aiming for improvement or efficiency
Generally negative, implying restriction or concealment
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Application
Wide-ranging (costs, waste, risk)
Specific (emotions, uprisings, information)
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
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Reduce and Suppress Definitions
Reduce
Decrease the amount or number of something.
We aim to reduce our carbon footprint by 20% this year.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Suppress
Prevent the dissemination of information.
The regime suppresses any dissenting opinions.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Reduce
Diminish in rank or grade.
The officer was reduced in rank due to misconduct.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Suppress
Stop or inhibit an action or process.
The medication suppresses symptoms of the disease.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
Reduce
Simplify a problem or equation.
The equation can be reduced to a simpler form for easier solving.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
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Suppress
Forcibly put an end to something.
The government attempted to suppress the protest.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
Reduce
Make smaller or less significant.
Reducing sugar in your diet can improve your health.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
Suppress
Reduce or eliminate a technical signal.
The device suppresses noise in the audio signal.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Reduce
Bring someone or something to a lower or weaker state.
The illness reduced him to a shadow of his former self.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Suppress
Hold back or restrain feelings or reactions.
She suppressed her anger during the meeting.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Suppress
To put an end to forcibly; subdue
Suppress a rebellion. See Usage Note at repress.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Reduce
To gain control of; subject or conquer
"a design to reduce them under absolute despotism" (Declaration of Independence).
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Reduce
To bring to a specified undesirable state, as of weakness or helplessness
Disease that reduced the patient to emaciation.
Teasing that reduced the child to tears.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated
Suppress evidence.
Suppress a film.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To restrain the growth, activity, or release of
Suppress a virus.
Suppress a hemorrhage.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Reduce
To decrease the viscosity of (paint, for example), as by adding a solvent.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To restrain or repress, such as laughter or an expression.
I struggled to suppress my smile.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Reduce
To bring or lead back to any former place or condition.
And to his brother's house reduced his wife.
The sheep must of necessity be scattered, unless the great Shephered of souls oppose, or some of his delegates reduce and direct us.
Dua Fatima
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is it better to reduce or suppress pain?
Reducing pain by treating its cause is generally healthier than merely suppressing the sensation of pain.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
Can reducing something be negative?
Yes, if it involves essential aspects like reducing necessary expenses or resources.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
What does it mean to reduce something?
To decrease its size, amount, or intensity.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
What does suppress mean?
To forcibly stop or prevent something from being expressed or continuing.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
What is a common goal of reducing strategies?
To achieve efficiency, sustainability, or health improvements.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
Can emotions be reduced or suppressed?
Emotions can be reduced by addressing their causes, whereas suppressing emotions involves concealing them without addressing the root issue.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
How does one reduce waste?
By minimizing the production of unnecessary materials and recycling.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 04, 2024
What are examples of suppression?
Suppressing a rebellion, suppressing information, or suppressing feelings.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Why is suppression considered negative?
Because it often involves denying freedom or expression, or ignoring underlying problems.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
What's the difference between reducing speed and suppressing speed?
Reducing speed means slowing down, while suppressing speed isn't a common term; it could imply forcefully limiting the ability to speed.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Can suppression be beneficial?
It can be temporarily beneficial in certain contexts, like suppressing a dangerous fire.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Is suppressing emotions healthy?
Generally, no. It can lead to psychological stress and health issues.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
How do governments suppress dissent?
Through censorship, legal restrictions, or force.
Dua Fatima
Mar 04, 2024
Can suppressants be used in medicine?
Yes, like cough suppressants or appetite suppressants.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
What role does reduction play in environmental conservation?
It's crucial for minimizing waste, conserving resources, and reducing pollution.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 04, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Dua Fatima
Co-written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
