What does "suppressor" mean?
A device which suppresses something, especially an electronic or mechanical device.
Suppressor
noun
noun ·3 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A device which suppresses something, especially an electronic or mechanical device.
- Grammar: suppressor is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: attenuator, blanker, damping circuit, inhibitor.
- Useful contrasts: activator, amplifier, enhancer.
- Usage evidence: Silencers, also called suppressors, are tube-shaped devices that, when screwed into the muzzle of a gun, slow the decompression of gases that propel a bullet forward, thus reducing the “pop” sound of gunfire. […] “I don’t think in real life, in practical applications, that there is that great of a tactical advantage to use a suppressor, especially for something like a mass shooting,” Gutowski said.
How to use "suppressor"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "suppressor" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "suppressor" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "suppressor" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "suppressor" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "suppressor" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "attenuator" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "suppressor", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A device which suppresses something, especially an electronic or mechanical device.
- 2 an electrical device for suppressing unwanted currents wordnet
- 3 A device which suppresses something, especially an electronic or mechanical device.; A device added to the barrel of a firearm which reduces the noise and flash generated by firing the weapon.
"Silencers, also called suppressors, are tube-shaped devices that, when screwed into the muzzle of a gun, slow the decompression of gases that propel a bullet forward, thus reducing the “pop” sound of gunfire. […] “I don’t think in real life, in practical applications, that there is that great of a tactical advantage to use a suppressor, especially for something like a mass shooting,” Gutowski said."
- 4 a gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another gene (especially of a mutant gene) wordnet
- 5 A person who suppresses others, a tyrant.
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 someone who suppresses wordnet
- 7 A gene that suppresses the effect of another through epistasis.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Silencers, also called suppressors, are tube-shaped devices that, when screwed into the muzzle of a gun, slow the decompression of gases that propel a bullet forward, thus reducing the “pop” sound of gunfire. […] “I don’t think in real life, in practical applications, that there is that great of a tactical advantage to use a suppressor, especially for something like a mass shooting,” Gutowski said."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "suppressor"?
Common synonyms include: attenuator, blanker, damping circuit, inhibitor, modifier, muzzler.
How do you use "suppressor" in a sentence?
Silencers, also called suppressors, are tube-shaped devices that, when screwed into the muzzle of a gun, slow the decompression of gases that propel a bullet forward, thus reducing the “pop” sound of gunfire. […] “I don’t think in real life, in practical applications, that there is that great of a tactical advantage to use a suppressor, especially for something like a mass shooting,” Gutowski said.
Etymology
From suppress + -or.