oppress

1 to make sad <this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us> Synonyms bum (out), burden, dash, deject, get down, depress, sadden, weigh downRelated Words ail, distress, trouble; afflict, torment, torture; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dismay, dispirit, get down, unnerve; agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, disturb, exercise, freak (out), perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worryNear Antonyms animate, enliven, invigorate; assure, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe; excite, inspire, stimulate; elate, exhilarate; encourage, hearten; delight, gratify, please; boost, elevate, lift, upliftAntonyms brighten, buoy, cheer (up), gladden, lighten, rejoice

2 to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress <a film about a man who is haunted and oppressed by the secrets of his past> Synonyms crush, devastate, floor, grind (down), overwhelm, overcome, overmaster, overpower, prostrate, snow under, swamp, whelmRelated Words deluge, drown, sink; confute, defeat, refute; break, demoralize, distress, disturb, rock, shatter, stagger, throw, unman, unnerve, upset