oppress

[uh-pres] / əˈprɛs /

VERB

depress, subdue

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

abuse aggrieve burden crush dishearten dispirit distress encumber force harry hound outrage overcome overload overpower overthrow plague press ride rule sadden saddle smother strain subdue tax trouble worry wrong

WEAK

despotize keep down put down put screws to put the squeeze on put upon tyrannize weigh heavy upon

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist comfort help make happy please soothe

STRONG

benefit calm compliment delight encourage give in inspirit leave alone let go praise release surrender yield

WEAK

boost gladden

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"These rules lack humanity and rationality, and they oppress us every day."

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

And we should be aware that others who abuse the word by taking it from us intend to oppress us.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2025

“You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2024

But that doesn’t mean she’s motivated by a desire to oppress.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2024

“Still this place seems to me a peaceful realm where no tyrannical king can oppress you.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Vocabulary lists containing oppress

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"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker

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List 7

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