oppress

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oppress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of oppress are aggrieve, persecute, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

When could aggrieve be used to replace oppress?

In some situations, the words aggrieve and oppress are roughly equivalent. However, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When might persecute be a better fit than oppress?

Although the words persecute and oppress have much in common, persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

When is it sensible to use wrong instead of oppress?

While the synonyms wrong and oppress are close in meaning, wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

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 oppress Today's progressive movement is less about labor or rights and more focused on identity, equity, and a sense of responsibility to the global oppressed. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Assad oppressed all Syrians, destroying a beautiful country. Fawaz A. Gerges, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025 The clergy could expect the fulfillment of prophecy, and the poor and the oppressed could look forward to absolution and better living quarters. Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 Her message, that peaceful coexistence can only exist between two equals (and not between the oppressor and oppressed) is not only an inspiring one, but also one proven to be true throughout history. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oppress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppress
Verb
  • In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.
    Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The first four were not renewed, while the last two depressed the financial market for the sport, helping to place it in this ESPN conundrum.
    Andrew Marchand, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Places like Chicago Animal Care and Control where Lily came from have been overwhelmed with dog and cat intakes this past month.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
  • While that does not preclude the possibility of another team overwhelming the Padres with a trade offer for Cease, a deal involving closer Robert Suarez remains at least a decent possibility.
    Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Unlike Seeger, Baez was not burdened with the baggage from a romance with American communism in the 1930s.
    Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
  • In San Diego, the taxpayers will be burdened with the hiring and firing of additional workers, workers’ compensation insurance costs, and long-term pension and retirement benefit costs for the 130 new city employees.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When wildfires devastated Los Angeles earlier this year, Bobbie provided formula for families who lost their homes.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But with the ceremony taking place at the Pasadena Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, just six weeks after Los Angeles was devastated by a series of wildfires, the celebration takes on a new tenor.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Caro Quintero and others then allegedly sought revenge, kidnapping Salazar and torturing him, before killing him.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Rami’s unhappy family splinters over love and politics; an opponent of both the monarchy and Saddam Hussein in the 1950s and 1960s, Rami is imprisoned and tortured, eventually escaping to gain asylum in France.
    Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Wolfpack overcame 17 turnovers and a disadvantage in paint points with a nearly perfect performance from the free-throw line and better-than-usual 3-point shooting.
    Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • To advance, Sporting must overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Maryland Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of North, a northern ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus), at the age of 28.
    Lexi Harpster, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Dolton resident Mary Avent said during a Zoom session Friday, in which some 300 people took part, that she was saddened by what happened.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The list of priorities and possible cuts has troubled some on Capitol Hill who could see their own priorities come to an end.
    Tom Bowman, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The painting wraps around the gallery, engulfing the viewer while sections of the painting are interrupted and tied together by mesh fabric, troubling the boundary between painting and tapestry.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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