1
as in to depress
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of oppress
Doing so was, for the Amin regime, a way of claiming a morally essential role: liberator of Africa’s hitherto oppressed people.
—
Derek R. Peterson, The Conversation, 18 July 2025
One island off the coast of South Korea may have blown up, but no one will stop the wealthy from oppressing and crushing the poor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 June 2025
In Liberia, especially, the Peace Corps volunteers were repulsed by the ways that Americo-Liberians — the descendants of the Black Americans who founded the country — oppressed indigenous ethnic groups.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
The Sámi people were oppressed for centuries by the powers that ruled and exploited their lands, including bans of the use of their native tongues and efforts to suppress their culture.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppress
Derek R. Peterson, The Conversation, 18 July 2025
One island off the coast of South Korea may have blown up, but no one will stop the wealthy from oppressing and crushing the poor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 June 2025
In Liberia, especially, the Peace Corps volunteers were repulsed by the ways that Americo-Liberians — the descendants of the Black Americans who founded the country — oppressed indigenous ethnic groups.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
The Sámi people were oppressed for centuries by the powers that ruled and exploited their lands, including bans of the use of their native tongues and efforts to suppress their culture.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppress
Verb
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His digital life is just as organized—a fact that never fails to amaze (and slightly depress) me.—
Dan Rockmore,
New Yorker,
9 Aug. 2025
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The fallout of black swan events like wars and pandemics can trigger higher interest rates, increase inflationary pressures, depress economic growth, erode investor confidence and depreciate the value of money.—
Mitch Salchow,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Save for that final two-minute drill led by Richardson, the Colts’ offense was overwhelmed by the Packers defense for the majority of the two-hour practice.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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When hurricanes arrive in rapid succession, emergency services can get overwhelmed, supply chains can be cut off and infrastructure still damaged from a recent storm becomes more vulnerable.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But under Intel’s umbrella, it’s been burdened by cost overruns, leadership churn, and unclear strategic direction.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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For people who can afford to retire, and aren’t burdened by serious health issues, rebuilding a routine is usually the toughest challenge retirement offers.—
Sophie Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Dozens of people remain missing after heavy flash flooding and a mudslide devastated a village in northern India, killing at least four people, local officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Whether or not Congress cuts NIH’s budget, the Trump administration has devastated its ability to operate.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For more than three weeks, Halimi was held hostage and tortured.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Initially, Patricia had been kept blindfolded and tied to a chair in the same house where José was tortured.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Padres are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League west.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The narrative that Apple is behind in AI has been looming over the company all year – and some analysts see it as a more challenging issue to overcome than tariffs.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Earlier on Wednesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp released a statement on X saying he and his family were saddened by the violence.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
6 Aug. 2025
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News of Cloud’s death shocked and saddened fans of his breakout show.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Their concern goes beyond their own struggles; they are troubled by the thought of other survivors who haven’t been as fortunate in securing assistance or receiving donations that could mean the difference between recovery and despair.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
4 Aug. 2025
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The company's lack of reaction to the contamination that routinely shows up in tests troubles Chambers.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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