oppress

The definition of oppress is to keep something down using cruel or unjust power.

(verb)

An example of oppress is for a dictator to force the poor people of his country to work in terrible conditions for little pay.

To oppress is to have something worry you or weigh you down.

(verb)

An example of oppress is to have worry that you might be laid off from your job.

See oppress in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to weigh heavily on the mind, spirits, or senses of; worry; trouble
to keep down by the cruel or unjust use of power or authority; rule harshly; tyrannize over
Obsolete
1. to crush; trample down
2. to overpower; subdue

Origin: ME oppressen < OFr oppresser < ML oppressare < L oppressus, pp. of opprimere, to press against < ob- (see ob-) + premere, press

Related Forms:

See oppress in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es

To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny.
To weigh heavily on: Poverty oppresses the spirit.
Obsolete To overwhelm or crush.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English oppressen

Origin: , from Old French opresser

Origin: , back-formation from oppression, oppression

Origin: , from Latin oppressiō, oppressiōn-

Origin: , from oppressus

Origin: , past participle of opprimere, to press against

Origin: : ob-, against; see ob-

Origin: + premere, to press; see per-⁴ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: