WordWeb Online

1. Dominate or subjugate by unjust use of one's authority and power
   "The government oppresses political activists";
   - suppress, crush
    
2. Cause to suffer
   "Jews were oppressed in the former Soviet Union";
   - persecute
    
3. Make sad or gloomy
   "We were oppressed by the constant grey skies"

Derived forms: oppressed, oppresses, oppressing

Type of: bedevil, crucify, dun, frustrate, rag, torment

Encyclopedia: Oppress