1
as in to depress
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
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 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
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
-
The last time Wisconsin held an election for the state’s Supreme Court, Republicans cried foul over the wave of money from out-of-state Democrats that overwhelmed their candidate.—
Reid J. Epstein,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
But public transit and pedestrian advocates might point to these numbers as evidence that some cities are overwhelmed by cars and need to get serious about alternatives.—
Alex Fitzpatrick,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce will explore budget-neutral strategies to acquire additional Bitcoin without burdening taxpayers.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
But this isn’t just a story about what burdens Langdon.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Without an effective treatment, the disease could devastate her harvest, leaving her unable to repay her loans or provide for her family.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
On Hollywood's biggest night, Colman Domingo led a tequila toast to the resilience of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that devastated the city.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 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
-
Every once in a while, a pitfall of community theater is glimpsed, but only momentarily, and here the heartfelt sense of fun overcomes any little shortcoming.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
-
This Netflix documentary follows three young Brooklyn sisters who join a community track team and, through their dedication to running (and with the support of their team), strive to overcome homelessness, family trauma, and financial struggles.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Governor Ned Lamont said he was very saddened to hear the news in a statement on X on Tuesday morning.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
-
All Marylanders should be concerned, and saddened, that with each passing day Gov. Moore proves Pascal to be correct.—
Kevin Igoe,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And that should trouble us all who still believe in the dwindling promise and ideals of the United States of America.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The bigger picture is on the grandest scale imaginable — next month’s Carabao Cup final and a 56-year yearning for major silverware — and the smaller is opponents who have troubled Newcastle more than any other post-takeover.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppress. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share