oppress

Definition of oppressnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oppress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of oppress are aggrieve, persecute, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

When could aggrieve be used to replace oppress?

In some situations, the words aggrieve and oppress are roughly equivalent. However, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When might persecute be a better fit than oppress?

Although the words persecute and oppress have much in common, persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

When is it sensible to use wrong instead of oppress?

While the synonyms wrong and oppress are close in meaning, wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of oppress If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one. Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 The American origin story is rooted in the notion that George III was its vanquished villain, an irrational tyrant who oppressed the American colonists. ABC News, 3 June 2026 Norway was itself a colonizer, and programs oppressing indigenous cultures and languages were in place well into the 1960s. Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 2026 Gratified right-wingers closely examined the charges and pointed to the prosecution as validation of their belief that conservative Christians across America are being oppressed by violent left-leaning protesters. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppress
Verb
  • However, price bulls highlight a fragile US-Iran ceasefire and past IEA surplus forecasts that failed to depress prices.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • The problem is that too many teachers are failing to motivate students, and the peer effect can go both ways, depressing student achievement in places where ambition isn’t valued.
    Mike Goldstein, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Cold water shock impairs breathing and can overwhelm even strong swimmers within seconds.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • Along the highway linking Caracas to the coast, streams of civilians carried water, food, and medicine toward La Guaira on foot and by motorcycle, stepping in as the scale of the disaster overwhelmed the official effort.
    Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Critics argue the tax's ripple effects could burden all Californians.
    Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Overmyer-Velazquez pointed out that these warehouses and industrial plants often provide great benefits to the larger society, yet their effects only burden a select few.
    Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The project has sparked outrage because of the location’s pristine nature and unique habitat that would be irreversibly devastated, according to environmentalists.
    Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • BangkokReuters — The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose body was found in a suitcase in Pattaya said they were devastated by her death, for which an Australian man has been arrested and charged with murder.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Wayne County prosecutors allege that on June 17, Montgomery tortured and burned a raccoon at a home in the 12000 block of Washburn Street in Detroit and posted a video on social media of the animal being burned alive.
    Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • In fact, the disease has been torturing humans for at least 5,500 years, according to a study published today in the journal Nature .
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Rather than be benched, Devers batted cleanup, overcame an 0-for-3 start, and singled up the middle in the seventh to score Bryce Eldridge, who narrowly beat a tag at the plate for a 3-1 lead.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Its highly specialized strategy likely evolved to take advantage of the ant’s natural aggression and then overcome its defenses; the slingshot mechanism flings the ant from the foraging trail, reducing the risk that the spider will be swarmed by other workers, the researchers hypothesized.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Ryan Carson, the CEO of Untangle, which provides legal workflow software for divorce attorneys, said in a post on X he was saddened by Petersen’s opinion.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 June 2026
  • Mahomes’ knee injury saddened him, however.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The South Africans looked dangerous on the counterattack, creating multiple chances, though their shots in the opening minutes were limited to long-range strikes that barely troubled the Canadians.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • Playing just nine miles from his old stomping grounds at Red Bull Arena, Murillo, who now plays for Besiktas in Turkey, troubled England in the first half.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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