1
as in to depress
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
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 & Similar Words
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
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
-
Problem properties can create economic and fiscal challenges, including depressing neighboring property values, straining fire and police resources and increasing the risk of arson and violent crime.
-
Some experts have raised concerns that media consolidation could depress pay for industry employees, while raising costs for American consumers due to fewer choices.
Verb
-
Consider the following ideas to maximize space and add flower power without overwhelming the dahlias.
-
In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreak and division, the story confirms that love has a way of continuing on.
Verb
-
Critics argue the tax's ripple effects could burden all Californians.
-
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.
Verb
-
For months, Uber and lawyers from across the state poured tens of millions into dueling ballot measures that threatened to devastate the profits of whichever side lost.
-
The jury in the federal trial of the man accused of starting the deadly blaze that devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles last year is deadlocked after two days of deliberations, the court said Thursday.
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.
-
In fact, the disease has been torturing humans for at least 5,500 years, according to a study published today in the journal Nature .
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.
-
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.
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.
-
Mahomes’ knee injury saddened him, however.
Verb
-
In truth, though, the four-time World Cup champion was coming up against a team lacking the quality or experience to really trouble it and will have a tougher time against the Ivory Coast.
-
But what really troubles him is something larger.
Cite this Entry
“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
