What does oppress mean?
Oppress means (transitive) To keep down by unjust force..
Oppress
/əˈpɹɛs/ · verb
Meaning
(transitive) To keep down by unjust force..
Definitions by Sense
- (transitive) To keep down by unjust force.
- (transitive) To make sad or gloomy.
- (transitive, obsolete) Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.
- (transitive, obsolete) To sexually violate; to rape.
- (obsolete) Oppression.
Example Sentences
The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.
We were oppressed by the constant grey skies.
Most mercilesse of women, VVyden hight, / Her other sonne fast sleeping did oppresse, / And with most cruell hand him murdred pittilesse.
Synonyms for oppress
Antonyms for oppress
Related Words
Word Forms
- oppresses
- oppressing
- oppressed
- no-table-tags
- glossary
- oppress
- oppressest
- oppressedst
- oppresseth
- -
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for oppress?
Common synonyms include suppress, begloom, get down, aggrieve.
What is the opposite of oppress?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use oppress in a sentence?
The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.