oppress

oppress — verb

1. to keep people under harsh control so they do not have the same rights or chance

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to keep people under harsh control so they do not have the same rights or chances as others

例句

For years, the army oppressed mountain villages with night raids and food checks.

oppress + group of people

Women were oppressed by laws that blocked them from owning land.

often passive: be oppressed by + law

同義詞
  • subjugate

    stresses bringing a group fully under another's control

  • persecute

    focuses on repeated cruel treatment, often because of identity or belief

  • exploit

    stresses unfair use for profit or advantage, not always direct control

  • tyrannize

    is more literary and stresses cruel personal rule

反義詞
  • liberate

    means to free people from controlling power

  • empower

    means to give people more control, rights, or ability

文法句型

oppress + people / group

be oppressed by + ruler / system

用法筆記

Subject is usually a ruler, army, government, employer, or system with power. Distinguish from sense 2, where the subject is often fear, guilt, heat, or another heavy feeling rather than a person or institution.

常見錯誤

❌The police oppressed the protest by closing the square.
✅The police suppressed the protest by closing the square.
💡oppress is about cruel control over people, while suppress is about forcing down an action, movement, or reaction.

2. to press so heavily on a person's mind or senses that they feel troubled or unwe

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to press so heavily on a person's mind or senses that they feel troubled or unwell

例句

The low ceiling and closed curtains oppressed visitors in the tiny room.

room conditions as subject

Since the trial began, fear has oppressed Maria day and night.

abstract subject + oppress + person

同義詞
  • burden

    is broader and can describe any heavy responsibility or feeling

  • weigh on

    is a common everyday phrase for emotional pressure

  • trouble

    is weaker and does not suggest the same heavy force

  • stifle

    stresses a choking or shut-in effect more than worry itself

反義詞
  • relieve

    means to remove some of the pressure or pain

  • comfort

    means to make someone feel calmer or less upset

文法句型

fear / guilt / heat oppress + person

feel oppressed by + thing

用法筆記

Subject is often an abstract noun or a physical condition, such as fear, guilt, silence, heat, or a shut-in room. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about unfair power over people rather than a heavy feeling or atmosphere.

常見錯誤

❌Homework oppressed me last night.
✅Homework stressed me out last night.
💡oppress is too strong for ordinary daily pressure; it suggests a crushing mental or physical weight.