What does it mean to suppress an emotion?

Suppressing an emotion refers to the act of preventing or restraining its expression. This means that instead of allowing the emotion to manifest outwardly—whether through facial expressions, verbal communication, or physical reactions—an individual consciously inhibits those responses. For example, someone might feel angry but choose not to show it or even acknowledge it, opting instead to act calmly. This can occur for various reasons, such as social norms, personal beliefs, or the desire to maintain control over one’s emotions in a given situation.

The other options suggest different approaches to emotions. Expressing emotions freely implies an openness and willingness to share feelings, which is the opposite of suppression. Enhancing an emotion’s effects suggests amplifying its intensity, while encouraging confrontation involves actively engaging with and addressing the emotion, rather than holding it back. Thus, these options do not align with the definition of suppression.