supil
supíl with stress marks
to curb, check, or dominate
Usage Note
Supil means to restrain, subjugate, or keep something under control — whether passions, a group of people, or an adversary. It carries a sense of authority or power being exercised to hold something in check. It appears in political discourse, literary texts, and formal speech more often than casual conversation.
Examples
" Sinupil niya ang galit. "
Natural Translation
He/she curbed the anger.
Literal Translation
Curbed he/she the anger.
" Kita ang supil na galit sa kanyang mukha. "
Natural Translation
The curbed anger is visible on his/her face.
Literal Translation
Visible the curbed that anger on his/her face.
" Sinikap ng pamahalaan na supilin ang kaguluhan, ngunit lalo lamang nag-alab ang galit ng mga tao. "
Natural Translation
The government tried to suppress the unrest, but the people's anger only flared up more.
Literal Translation
Tried by government to suppress the unrest, but more only flared the anger of people.
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