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oppress
composite
opposite

op·press

oppress

 
pronunciation:
pres
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: oppresses, oppressing, oppressed
definition 1: to treat in a way that is cruel or not fair.
Many dictators have oppressed the citizens of their countries.
synonyms:
abuse
similar words:
abuse, grind, mistreat, persecute
definition 2: to trouble or burden.
The thought of all that homework oppresses me.The terrible heat oppressed us.
synonyms:
overwhelm, weigh down
similar words:
bother, burden, depress, discourage, hamper, harass, tax, trouble
Word Combinations  About this feature
adverb + (v.)oppress actively, brutally, historically, otherwise, politically, racially, similarly, socially
(v.)oppress + adverb culturally, thus
(v.)oppress + nounHelp black, century, citizen, darkness, enemy, individual, majority, minority, nationalism, neighbor, oppressor, other, people, religion, society, woman
derivation: oppressor (n.)
Word Parts  About this feature
The word oppress contains the following part:
op- Latin prefix that means towards; against; away
Show wordsHide wordsMore about this word part:
The prefix op- is an assimilated form of ob- used before roots beginning with "p," such as "pos." See ob-.
Show wordsHide wordsExample words: