verb

oppress

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verb

To control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force.

"The regime oppressed anyone who spoke out against it."

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 notes

In 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

Word Forms

oppressed past tense, oppressed plural, oppress plural, oppresses plural, oppresses singular, oppress singular, oppressed singular, oppressest singular, oppressedst singular, oppresseth singular

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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").