Word
oppress
Phoneticsop·press, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɹɛs/
UK/əpɹˈɛs/
Definitions
01to treat unfairly by force
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to treat a person or group in a cruel and unfair way, especially by taking away their rights.
v. to keep a person or group in subservience through the unjust exercise of authority or force.
“The people were oppressed by a government that did not allow them to vote.”
“For decades, the regime oppressed ethnic minorities by restricting their access to education and prohibiting the use of their native language in public.”
Synonyms
02to make someone feel sad
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to make you feel worried, sad, or uncomfortable for a long time.
v. to weigh heavily on the mind, spirits, or senses, causing a feeling of depression or anxiety.
“The grey weather and the silence of the house began to oppress her.”
“A profound sense of failure seemed to oppress him, making it difficult to focus on the potential solutions presented by his colleagues.”
Synonyms
03to crush or smother
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
v. to physically press down on someone or something with a heavy weight.
v. to physically overwhelm, crush, or smother by applying pressure.
“The heavy heat of the afternoon seemed to oppress every living thing in the valley.”
“In the ancient tale, the giant's massive hand would oppress any warrior who dared to enter the mountain pass.”
Real-World Examples
“The Northern Ireland Executive, for example, has a first minister and a deputy first minister – one each from the main Unionist and Nationalist parties – to ensure that neither can oppress the other.” “We ended up planning to march to the police station against these passbooks that were being used to oppress us," he says.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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