oppress
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.
to lie heavily upon (the mind, a person, etc.): Care and sorrow oppressed them.
to weigh down, as sleep or weariness does.
Archaic. to put down; subdue or suppress.
Archaic. to press upon or against; crush.
Origin of oppress
1synonym study For oppress
Other words for oppress
Opposites for oppress
Other words from oppress
- 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
Words that may be confused with oppress
- oppress , repress
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for oppress
/ (əˈprɛs) /
to subjugate by cruelty, force, etc
to afflict or torment
to lie heavy on (the mind, imagination, etc)
an obsolete word for overwhelm
Origin of oppress
1Derived forms of oppress
- oppressingly, adverb
- oppressor, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse