OPPRESSING Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

oppressing

verb

present participle of oppress

as in torturing

to make sad this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 oppressing 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 Having been raised not too far from similarly-minded environs, this Turkish critic knows that keeping a pure and noble familial slate in patriarchy often means oppressing women. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 20 May 2026 Israel has been grievously oppressing people in its area who are not Jewish. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026 Underlying such obvious acts of aggression lies an insidious tendency for transnational repression to flow from despots into democracies, oppressing lawyers of all nationalities in the process. — Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressing

Verb

What unfolds is a unique horror story that is unbelievably entertaining, psychologically torturing and incredibly fun.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Henry Bernard Montgomery, 38, was arraigned Monday afternoon on one count of third-degree killing/torturing animals and given a $20,000 bond with a GPS tether.

— Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Definition of torturing

Verb

Norway reached the quarterfinal with a 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday and England advanced with a thrilling 3-2 victory over host Mexico after overcoming a weather delay, red card, altitude and a raucous crowd at 80,000-seat Estadio Azteca.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Lionel Messi and Argentina avoided one of the biggest ever World Cup knockout shocks by overcoming Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time of a jaw-dropping game.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of overcoming

Verb

The high-pressure system that’s causing temperature spikes, Ciliberti said, is also depressing much of the particulate matter, pushing it closer to the ground.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The problem is that too many teachers are failing to motivate students, and the peer effect can go both ways, depressing student achievement in places where ambition isn’t valued.

— Mike Goldstein, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026

Definition of depressing

Verb

Nieuw Bergen presents an innovative and attractive approach to inner-city housing, demonstrating how housing developments can be introduced without overwhelming the character of an existing neighborhood.

— Bridget Borgobello July 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
The best caftans feel lightweight and roomy without overwhelming your frame.

— Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Verb

But the evidence does not support the claim that noncitizen voting is occurring at a scale that justifies burdening millions of eligible Americans or overriding state election systems with a sweeping federal mandate.

— Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026
Simultaneously, electricity prices continue to outpace inflation, burdening families across the country.

— Rachel Mural, Fortune, 21 June 2026

Definition of burdening

Verb

Rescue efforts were still underway nearly two weeks after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast less than a minute apart on June 24, trapping hundreds beneath rubble.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 July 2026
The co-writer thing was a total disaster, devastating on every level.

— Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of devastating

Verb

Atmospheres of sub-Neptunes are deep and dense, meaning crushing pressures close to the boundary between the atmosphere and the solid body of the world can turn minerals into vapor that forms clouds.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 July 2026
The outer aluminum shell gives way to an energy-crushing aluminum honeycomb.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of crushing

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“Oppressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressing. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of oppressing

verb

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