1
as in torturing
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
In Russia, Cuba, Iran, Belarus, and Uganda, dictatorships have carried on for decades—oppressing and killing their people, attacking their neighbors, and destabilizing their regions.
—
Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressing
Verb
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Yorgos Lanthimos, Florian Zeller and Juliette Binoche are among more than 800 film professionals who have signed a joint statement condemning the Iranian government for killing and torturing its own people.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
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Dan Bujor, who lives out of a school bus parked in Long Island City, was arrested Sunday on charges including overdriving animals, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance, in addition to driving without a license, in connection with the bizarre incident, cops said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Here’s her strategy for overcoming procrastination.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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For Nayyar, overcoming user hesitancy, particularly among older generations, has been an ongoing educational process.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the starter works normally, but the car does not start after three attempts, try depressing the gas pedal.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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That leaves the question of making the 17e value for money while also not depressing potential iPhone 17 sales.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Advanced technologies like microencapsulation and nano-layering allow actives to penetrate effectively without overwhelming the skin’s surface—reducing irritation while improving efficacy.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Different grades of molasses exist, but the kind used in brown sugar is typically mild enough to enhance flavor without overwhelming it.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The war is burdening the not only the current Russian economy but its future prospects, the report says.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Such subsidies drive up demand, and therefore costs, while also burdening taxpayers.—
Judge Glock,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Scientists may have solved a cosmic mystery that has been troubling them since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) began observations back in 2022.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Amid the disorder, the regime turned to a familiar playbook of crushing dissent.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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Homeowners association fees for people living in condominiums or other multi-unit dwellings have been increasing year after year — doubling one year only to go up again the next — and the effect is crushing.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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