Definitions

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.

Behold yon mountain's hoary height Made higher with new mounts of snow:Again behold the winter's weight Oppress the labouring woods below'And streams with icy fetters boundBenumbed and cramped to solid ground.

From The Guardian • Jul. 30, 2012

I must confess that these majestic ruins Oppress me with their gloom.

From The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

It was the coinage of the aged brain,380 When sadness and the sense of loneliness Oppress the weary heart!

From The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles Vol. 2 by Gilfillan, George

These blank walls Oppress me with their weight!

From The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

Nor pow'rs above, nor destinies below Oppress our arms: with equal strength we go, With mortal hands to meet a mortal foe.

From The Aeneid English by Virgil

Vocabulary lists containing oppress

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker

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List 7

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