oppress

verb

op·​press ə-ˈpres How to pronounce oppress (audio)
oppressed; oppressing; oppresses

transitive verb

1
a
: to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority
The country has long been oppressed by a ruthless dictator.
oppressed minorities
b
archaic : suppress
2
: to burden spiritually or mentally : weigh heavily upon
oppressed by a sense of failure
oppress by intolerable guilt
oppressor noun
Choose the Right Synonym for oppress

wrong, oppress, persecute, aggrieve mean to injure unjustly or outrageously.

wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

Examples of oppress in a Sentence

The country has long been oppressed by a ruthless dictator. They condemned attempts by the government to oppress its citizens. people who have traditionally been oppressed by society
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No one state should be allowed to dominate the process, nor should the big states be allowed to oppress the small. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Yet, victimhood narrative advocates do just that, framing us as perpetual outsiders, oppressed by America. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Although Dalits make up about 17% of India's population, the group, especially women, has been socially and historically oppressed. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Oct. 2024 Her mother is a devout Christian whose relentless proselytizing has long oppressed and angered her. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oppress 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English oppressen "to put pressure on, crush, burden, overwhelm," borrowed from Anglo-French oppresser, borrowed from Medieval Latin oppressāre, frequentative derivative from Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower," from ob- ob- + premere "to press" — more at press entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppress was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near oppress

Cite this Entry

“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppress. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

oppress

verb
op·​press ə-ˈpres How to pronounce oppress (audio)
1
: to control or rule in a harsh or cruel way
a country oppressed by a dictator
2
: to cause to feel burdened in spirit
oppressed by grief
oppressor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on oppress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!