oppress
v.v. to treat someone unfairly and cruelly, often by using power or force. It can also mean to make a place or situation feel very heavy and difficult to deal with.
v. to exercise power or authority in a cruel or unjust manner; to weigh down heavily. Often used in political or social contexts to describe systemic injustice.
The heavy rain began to oppress the small village.
The new law was designed to oppress the local workers and prevent them from joining a union.
The oppressive atmosphere of the prison was exacerbated by the lack of natural light and the constant sound of heavy boots on the stone floor.
From Middle English oppressen, from Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare (“to press against, oppress”), frequentative of Latin opprimere, past participle oppressus (“to press against, press together, oppress”), from ob (“against”) + premere, past participle pressus (“to press”); see press.