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
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Recent Examples of oppress
The authoritarian regime has brutally oppressed the people of Iran for generations.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has oppressed, humiliated, and murdered its people.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Often employing caricature, distortion and symbolism to communicate anxiety and resistance, his works are personal and political, offering a critique of the systems that oppress people of color.
—Evan Nicole Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
She was oppressed by his big shadow.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppress
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has oppressed, humiliated, and murdered its people.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Often employing caricature, distortion and symbolism to communicate anxiety and resistance, his works are personal and political, offering a critique of the systems that oppress people of color.
—Evan Nicole Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
She was oppressed by his big shadow.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppress
Verb
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The perky response of Hungary’s currency and equity markets, at a time when war in the Gulf is depressing asset prices everywhere, shows Orbanism clearly wasn’t working for business.—
Lionel Laurent,
Twin Cities,
17 Apr. 2026
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So why isn’t any of this depressing him?—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The kitchen offers tons of storage and a full-height wine display, along with lighting by Lindsey Adelman Studio that adds a contemporary edge without overwhelming the space.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
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Others warned that Korean entertainment could overwhelm the domestic industry.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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King is especially distraught in the season finale after learning that she'll be deposed again in a lawsuit against the ER — a suit and deposition that has burdened the doctor all season.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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Healey must think ratepayers – who are burdened with some of the highest energy costs in the country – are pretty stupid and simple minded.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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The civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces — now in its third year — continues to devastate economic activity, displace millions, and fuel inflation.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the governments of US and Iran try to negotiate a peace deal, many Iranians are still being arrested, tortured and executed, according to rights groups.—
Dana Karni,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
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In December 2019, an immigration judge granted Rivera Ortega protection under the Convention Against Torture, a United Nations treaty designed to protect people who could be tortured if deported.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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That power production has overcome incredibly poor luck so far this season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Virginia’s Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, posted on X that she was deeply saddened and praying for the couple’s children and families.—
Michael Biesecker,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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Having only been informed of their uncle’s passing, nearly 72 hours after it was reported to the media, The Krofft sisters, along with the rest of the company, are all saddened to hear about the passing of Sid Krofft.—
Carmel Dagan,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The second scenario which had troubled Democrats earlier this Spring is that the Democratic candidates continue splitting the vote, allowing Hilton and Republican Chad Bianco to advance.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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Most Americans are troubled by the belief that some wealthy people and corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in January.—
Linley Sanders,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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