oppress

Oppress is a transitive verb meaning to exercise unjust or cruel power over someone or to weigh down or burden by the use of authority. It can refer to political, economic, social, or psychological domination. The noun oppression denotes the act or state of being oppressed, and oppressive is the related adjective describing such domination.

Etymology: The word comes from Latin opprimere, “to press down,” via Old French opprimer to English. The sense of pressing down or overbearing entered English in the medieval period. The term is commonly used with reference to power, authority, and social structures that limit freedom or opportunity.

Contexts: Political oppression involves the systematic restriction of civil liberties, suppression of political opposition, or coercive governance. Social oppression refers to marginalization based on race, gender, class, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality, often through laws, institutions, or cultural norms. Economic oppression includes exploitation or control of labor and resources. Oppressive behavior may also occur personally, such as bullying or coercive control within relationships. Oppression is often analyzed in relation to power structures, rights, and social justice.

See also: Oppression, Oppressor, Oppressive, Repression, Tyranny, Discrimination.