oppress

[uh-pres]

verb (used with object)

1. to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints; subject to a burdensome or harsh exercise of authority or power.

   a people oppressed by totalitarianism.

   Synonyms: persecute, maltreat

2. to lie heavily upon (the mind, a person, etc.).

   Care and sorrow oppressed them.

   Antonyms: encourage, uphold

3. to weigh down, as sleep or weariness does.

4. Archaic.,  to put down; subdue or suppress.

5. Archaic.,  to press upon or against; crush.

oppress

/ əˈprɛs /

verb

1. to subjugate by cruelty, force, etc

2. to afflict or torment

3. to lie heavy on (the mind, imagination, etc)

4. an obsolete word for overwhelm

Other Word Forms

• oppressible adjective
• oppressor noun
• preoppress verb (used with object)
• reoppress verb (used with object)
• unoppressible adjective
• oppressingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of oppress¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oppressen, from Middle French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressāre, derivative of Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere “to squeeze, suffocate,” equivalent to op- “to, toward, against” + -primere (combining form of premere ) “to press”; op-, press ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of oppress¹

C14: via Old French from Medieval Latin oppressāre, from Latin opprimere, from ob- against + premere to press

Synonym Study

Oppress, depress, both having the literal meaning to press down upon, to cause to sink, are today mainly limited to figurative applications. To oppress is usually to subject (a people) to burdens, to undue exercise of authority, and the like; its chief application, therefore, is to a social or political situation: a tyrant oppressing his subjects. Depress suggests mainly the psychological effect, upon the individual, of unpleasant conditions, situations, etc., that sadden and discourage: depressed by the news. When oppress is sometimes used in this sense, it suggests a psychological attitude of more complete hopelessness: oppressed by a sense of failure.

Example Sentences

In 2022, the Southern Poverty Law Center considered these groups to be extremist, “constantly painting themselves as an oppressed class, while vilifying those discriminated against,” it said.

From Los Angeles Times

They believe they are entitled to control public opinion, or they are being oppressed.

From Salon

But the turbulent charge of Leroy’s voice and body language serves another purpose: keeping the character’s history as an oppressed Black man cruelly cut off from his soulmate ever in sight.

From Los Angeles Times

His cries of “law and order” are a centuries-old white racist siren — and a justification for oppressing and taking away the rights and freedoms of Black Americans and other non-whites.

From Salon

Gray calls this attitude part of “conspicuous resilience,” conflating being temporarily displaced and inconvenienced with being oppressed and vulnerable, leading to the celebration and glorification of a recovery that mostly benefits the few.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict 
• annoy 
• beat down 
• harass 
• maltreat 
• overwhelm 
• persecute 
• pick on 
• prey on 
• subjugate 
• suppress 
• torment 
• torture 
• trample 
• vex