verb
B1
Intermediate
oppress
uh-PREHS
Oppress (verb) means to control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force. Example: “The regime oppressed anyone who spoke out against it.”
verb
1
To control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force.
"The regime oppressed anyone who spoke out against it."
2
To weigh heavily on the mind, causing distress or unease.
"A sense of dread oppressed her as she waited for the results."
How to use oppress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold a group of people down unfairly through power or force, or to weigh heavily on someone emotionally.
Common pairings
oppress the people
oppressed minority
feel oppressed
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Word forms
- Plural
- oppresses
- Third person singular
- oppresses
- Past tense
- oppressed
- Archaic forms
- oppressest, oppressedst, oppresseth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The regime _____ anyone who spoke out against it.
Etymology
From Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare, based on Latin opprimere, "to press against" — from ob- ("against") plus premere ("to press").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “oppress” mean?
The word “oppress” means to control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force. In plain terms, to hold a group of people down unfairly through power or force, or to weigh heavily on someone emotionally.
How do you pronounce “oppress”?
“Oppress” is pronounced uh-PREHS (/əˈpɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “oppress” in a sentence?
Here is “oppress” used in a sentence: “The regime oppressed anyone who spoke out against it.”
What part of speech is “oppress”?
“Oppress” is a verb.
Where does the word “oppress” come from?
The word “oppress” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare, based on Latin opprimere, "to press against" — from ob- ("against") plus premere ("to press").
How many meanings does “oppress” have?
“Oppress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force.
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