Oppress
verb
To treat a person or group unfairly or cruelly, especially by controlling them strictly.
The government was accused of oppressing its citizens.

Often appears as...
- oppress minority groups
- oppress individual rights
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To make someone feel worried or uncomfortable.
The thought of upcoming exams was oppressing me.

Often appears as...
- oppress one's mind
- oppress with worry
verb
To treat a person or group unfairly or cruelly, especially by controlling them strictly.
The government was accused of oppressing its citizens.

Often appears as...
- oppress minority groups
- oppress individual rights
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To make someone feel worried or uncomfortable.
The thought of upcoming exams was oppressing me.

Often appears as...
- oppress one's mind
- oppress with worry
Definition 1 of 2

Power Dynamics
Use 'oppress' to describe situations where there's an imbalance of power, often involving systemic control.

Under the regime, journalists were oppressed to silence dissent.
Historical Context
'Oppress' is often used when discussing historical events of unfair treatment, like slavery or colonialism.

Peoples across continents were oppressed during the colonial era.
Not Always Physical
Oppression can be psychological, involving social pressure or discrimination, not just physical force.

The regime oppressed intellectuals through censorship and social ostracization.
Power Dynamics
Use 'oppress' to describe situations where there's an imbalance of power, often involving systemic control.

Under the regime, journalists were oppressed to silence dissent.
Historical Context
'Oppress' is often used when discussing historical events of unfair treatment, like slavery or colonialism.

Peoples across continents were oppressed during the colonial era.
Not Always Physical
Oppression can be psychological, involving social pressure or discrimination, not just physical force.

The regime oppressed intellectuals through censorship and social ostracization.
Power Dynamics
Use 'oppress' to describe situations where there's an imbalance of power, often involving systemic control.

Under the regime, journalists were oppressed to silence dissent.
Historical Context
'Oppress' is often used when discussing historical events of unfair treatment, like slavery or colonialism.

Peoples across continents were oppressed during the colonial era.
Not Always Physical
Oppression can be psychological, involving social pressure or discrimination, not just physical force.

The regime oppressed intellectuals through censorship and social ostracization.
Video examples
Blueprint for a quiet...
instinctively with the oppressed and an Fe grew older he learned how to speak out on their behalf but he remained always a shy and quiet man believing that these traits were his greatest source of strength the boy's name was Mohandas Gandhi and he later uttered for me the most important sentences in human
Video examples
An anti-hero of one's...
The anti-hero openly challenges society, and tries to fight against the lies and tactics used to oppress the populace. This step, for the anti-hero, is seldom a matter of brave, wise and heroic opposition. Maybe the anti-hero fights and succeeds in destroying the oppressive government,
Video examples
What “Machiavellian”...
to ensure future stability. Attacking neighboring territories and oppressing religious minorities are mentioned as effective ways of occupying the public. Regarding a prince’s personal behavior, Machiavelli advises keeping up the appearance of virtues such as honesty or generosity,
Video examples
Let's end ageism PIPE...
like food, water, electricity, and decent housing. Is this the world we want our children, who may well live to be a hundred, to inherit? Everyone -- all ages, all genders, all nationalities -- is old or future-old, and unless we put an end to it, ageism will oppress us all.
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
it cannot be reversed. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. For me, the achievements of the Hearing Voices Movement are a reminder that empathy, fellowship, justice and respect are more than words;
Video examples
Is the world getting...
We live longer, suffer less, learn more, get smarter and enjoy more small pleasures and rich experiences. Fewer of us are killed, assaulted, enslaved, exploited or oppressed by the others. From a few oases, the territories with peace and prosperity are growing
Video examples
Abundance is our future...
more productive than ever before. So what could three billion rising, healthy, educated, productive members of humanity bring to us? How about a set of voices that have never been heard from before. What about giving the oppressed,
Video examples
The Missing Years of...
championed over those who oppressed them by studying stories agreed upon to be true a clearer albeit hypothesized portrait of Christ's life can emerge
Video examples
Inside the mind of a...
not bringing relief to the oppressed. Children being used, cynically exploited; people dying in conflicts which I was supporting in the name of jihad.
Video examples
The Standing Rock...
hanging out with banks. So what can you do? How can you help? How can you change the conversation for extremely oppressed and forgotten people?
Video examples
Blueprint for a quiet...
instinctively with the oppressed and an Fe grew older he learned how to speak out on their behalf but he remained always a shy and quiet man believing that these traits were his greatest source of strength the boy's name was Mohandas Gandhi and he later uttered for me the most important sentences in human
Video examples
An anti-hero of one's...
The anti-hero openly challenges society, and tries to fight against the lies and tactics used to oppress the populace. This step, for the anti-hero, is seldom a matter of brave, wise and heroic opposition. Maybe the anti-hero fights and succeeds in destroying the oppressive government,
Video examples
What “Machiavellian”...
to ensure future stability. Attacking neighboring territories and oppressing religious minorities are mentioned as effective ways of occupying the public. Regarding a prince’s personal behavior, Machiavelli advises keeping up the appearance of virtues such as honesty or generosity,
Video examples
Let's end ageism PIPE...
like food, water, electricity, and decent housing. Is this the world we want our children, who may well live to be a hundred, to inherit? Everyone -- all ages, all genders, all nationalities -- is old or future-old, and unless we put an end to it, ageism will oppress us all.
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
it cannot be reversed. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. For me, the achievements of the Hearing Voices Movement are a reminder that empathy, fellowship, justice and respect are more than words;
Video examples
Is the world getting...
We live longer, suffer less, learn more, get smarter and enjoy more small pleasures and rich experiences. Fewer of us are killed, assaulted, enslaved, exploited or oppressed by the others. From a few oases, the territories with peace and prosperity are growing
Video examples
Abundance is our future...
more productive than ever before. So what could three billion rising, healthy, educated, productive members of humanity bring to us? How about a set of voices that have never been heard from before. What about giving the oppressed,
Video examples
The Missing Years of...
championed over those who oppressed them by studying stories agreed upon to be true a clearer albeit hypothesized portrait of Christ's life can emerge
Video examples
Inside the mind of a...
not bringing relief to the oppressed. Children being used, cynically exploited; people dying in conflicts which I was supporting in the name of jihad.
Video examples
The Standing Rock...
hanging out with banks. So what can you do? How can you help? How can you change the conversation for extremely oppressed and forgotten people?
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Ken Liu
American Writer
The 'Grace of Kings' begins as a very dark, complicated world filled with injustices - among them the oppressed position of women - but gradually transforms into something better through a series of revolutions. But since real social change takes a long time, even by the end of the book, only the seeds of deep change have been planted.

Quote examples
Kangana Ranaut
Indian Actress
In metros, girls are very independent, conscious and aware. But in the interiors of our country, where education is not given importance, they continue to be oppressed. But it is important for every woman to acknowledge what she wants from herself rather than going for what people expect from her.

Quote examples
John McCain
American Politician
Depriving the oppressed of a beacon of hope could lose us the world we have built and thrived in. It could cost our reputation in history as the nation distinct from all others in our achievements, our identity, and our enduring influence on mankind. Our values are central to all three.

Quote examples
George Ripley
American Activist
We shall suffer no attachment to literature, no taste for abstract discussion, no love of purely intellectual theories, to seduce us from our devotion to the cause of the oppressed, the down trodden, the insulted and injured masses of our fellow men.

Quote examples
Jupiter Hammon
American Poet
You have discovered so much kindness and good will to those you thought were oppressed, and had no helper, that I am sure you will not despise what I have wrote, if you judge it will be of any service to them.

Quote examples
Joseph Hume
Scottish Scientist
I am willing to admit that if the agriculturists are oppressed by peculiar burdens, they ought to be relieved from them, or be allowed a fair and just protection equivalent to all such peculiar burdens.

Quote examples
George Woodcock
Canadian Writer
It doesn't really mean a great deal of difference to a life. You live as you wish to do and if a job is oppressing, you leave it. I've done it on several occasions.

Quote examples
Kim Il-sung
North Korean Leader
The oppressed peoples can liberate themselves only through struggle. This is a simple and clear truth confirmed by history.

Quote examples
Emma Hayes
English Businesswoman
I share the concerns around the world about everything from a lack of opportunity to groups of people being oppressed.

Quote examples
Martin Luther King, Jr.
American Leader
Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.

Quote examples
Ken Liu
American Writer
The 'Grace of Kings' begins as a very dark, complicated world filled with injustices - among them the oppressed position of women - but gradually transforms into something better through a series of revolutions. But since real social change takes a long time, even by the end of the book, only the seeds of deep change have been planted.

Quote examples
Kangana Ranaut
Indian Actress
In metros, girls are very independent, conscious and aware. But in the interiors of our country, where education is not given importance, they continue to be oppressed. But it is important for every woman to acknowledge what she wants from herself rather than going for what people expect from her.

Quote examples
John McCain
American Politician
Depriving the oppressed of a beacon of hope could lose us the world we have built and thrived in. It could cost our reputation in history as the nation distinct from all others in our achievements, our identity, and our enduring influence on mankind. Our values are central to all three.

Quote examples
George Ripley
American Activist
We shall suffer no attachment to literature, no taste for abstract discussion, no love of purely intellectual theories, to seduce us from our devotion to the cause of the oppressed, the down trodden, the insulted and injured masses of our fellow men.

Quote examples
Jupiter Hammon
American Poet
You have discovered so much kindness and good will to those you thought were oppressed, and had no helper, that I am sure you will not despise what I have wrote, if you judge it will be of any service to them.

Quote examples
Joseph Hume
Scottish Scientist
I am willing to admit that if the agriculturists are oppressed by peculiar burdens, they ought to be relieved from them, or be allowed a fair and just protection equivalent to all such peculiar burdens.

Quote examples
George Woodcock
Canadian Writer
It doesn't really mean a great deal of difference to a life. You live as you wish to do and if a job is oppressing, you leave it. I've done it on several occasions.

Quote examples
Kim Il-sung
North Korean Leader
The oppressed peoples can liberate themselves only through struggle. This is a simple and clear truth confirmed by history.

Quote examples
Emma Hayes
English Businesswoman
I share the concerns around the world about everything from a lack of opportunity to groups of people being oppressed.

Quote examples
Martin Luther King, Jr.
American Leader
Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.

Example 1 of 10
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