oppress
UK/ə'pres/US/ә'pres/
IELTSGREB1
Definitions
v.
To treat a group of people in a cruel and unjust way through the use of power
压迫，压制（人民）
v.
To make someone feel anxious or weighed down
使（心情）压抑，使郁闷
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedop- (ob-, against) + press = 'press against.' To oppress is to bear down on people with cruel power, the weight pressing against them; figuratively a mood or atmosphere can oppress, weighing on the mind.
Root press still carries 89 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.oppress the poor压迫穷人
- 2.oppress minorities压迫少数群体
- 3.feel oppressed by被…压得喘不过气
Example Sentences
- 1.
For decades the regime oppressed anyone who spoke out.
- 2.
The heavy silence in the room oppressed her.
- 3.
Laws that oppress minorities have no place here.