1
as in torturing
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overcoming
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 oppressing
Now, the Franciscan missionaries oppressing the Native Americans in the painting had arrows piercing their heads and bodies.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressing
Verb
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Hundreds — some with and some without criminal records — have vanished without due process indefinitely into the prison systems of other countries infamous for torturing inmates.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dahbia Benkired was convicted of raping, torturing and killing Lola Daviet, according the BBC, BFMTV and The New York Times.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Broader health insurance protections could prevent more Americans from sinking into debt and depressing their credit scores.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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This sounds like depressing stuff, and Mothertongue is not extremely upbeat.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Kovac has been cautious with the midfielder, gradually giving him minutes without overwhelming him.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most fine-dining restaurants have not received many complaints about burdening costs, according to the NYT, though that doesn’t stop them from worrying about feedback.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Dec. 2025
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Stinett said the shelter spreads the need for medical care among the partner vets to avoid burdening just one or two hospitals.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Scenario two is that Harbaugh is leveraging the Giants’ rabid interest but ultimately could take a different job, devastating this desperate fan base.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.—
Jake Scott,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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China is poised to win great swathes of the booming European EV market and that is troubling the automakers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Yet most fans do not care unduly about what a squad costs and while sound financial management is welcomed, the strength of the team is the thing that is troubling them right now.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In three full seasons since that postseason run – which concluded quickly as a result of a crushing 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round – Murray has failed to post a winning season as a starter.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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But the tale of the game would be those relief points, just crushing us on the glass.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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