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

Derived Forms

• opˈpressor, noun
• opˈpressingly, adverb

Other Words From

• op·press·i·ble adjective
• op·pres·sor noun
• pre·op·press verb (used with object)
• re·op·press verb (used with object)
• un·op·press·i·ble adjective

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

The enemy, however defined, is to be marginalized and oppressed as the Other.

From Salon

The residents of Piltover enjoy the privileges of life in an affluent and powerful society, one that casually oppresses the impoverished inhabitants of Zaun.

From Salon

"This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practising different forms of torture and abuse."

From BBC

As Paul Waldman recently wrote in his newsletter, Trump tells men "you are oppressed."

From Salon

“When Jesus came, he came with better understanding. You don't kill people that are possessed or oppressed of demons, you simply cast the demons out,” he says.

From BBC

Related Words

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