verb

oppress

uh-PRESS/əˈpres/

to subject someone to severe hardship or unjust control

The regime uses harsh laws to oppress its own people.

Authoritarian guard forces exhausted diverse workers to labor.

Etymology

The image is of pressing against or down on someone. Physical crushing became a figure for subduing people and keeping them down through cruel or unjust power.

In context

Great Mother Speaks42:55

Because they have demonized the voice of her prophetesses and continue to enslave and oppress her prophets and people.

The Sibyls: First Prophetesses of Mami Wata — Origins of the Water Mother

More examples

For decades, the military government oppressed religious minorities.
The workers accuse the company of oppressing them through threats and forced labor.
She fights a system that oppresses the poor.

Forms

oppress · oppresses · oppressed · oppressing

oppression noun — severe hardship or unjust control imposed on people

oppressor noun — someone who subjects others to harsh, unjust treatment

Similar words

persecute: Emphasizes repeated mistreatment, often because of identity or beliefs.
subjugate: Emphasizes bringing people under control rather than ongoing harsh treatment.
exploit: Emphasizes taking unfair advantage of people for personal benefit.