oppressor

[ uh-pres-er ]

/ əˈprɛs ər /

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noun

a person or group that exercises authority or power over another in a harsh and burdensome way:Meanwhile the oppressors, blind to the brutal and unjust practices sustaining their dominance, simply increase the level of force against any who resist.

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Origin of oppressor

First recorded in 1375–1425; oppress + -or²

OTHER WORDS FROM oppressor

pre·op·pres·sor, nounself-op·pres·sor, noun

How to use oppressor in a sentence

Some, I knew, were already going off to plan the resistance against the American oppressors.
I Watched Iraq Fall|Janine di Giovanni|March 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. left an injured blind man in the custody of his totalitarian oppressors, writes Kirsten Powers.
Beacon No More? America Abandons Chen Guangcheng|Kirsten Powers|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. Embassy staff left an injured blind man who is an enemy of the state in the custody of his totalitarian oppressors.
Beacon No More? America Abandons Chen Guangcheng|Kirsten Powers|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Horne said the Tucson ethnic-studies classes taught Mexican-Americans to view whites as their historic oppressors.
Governor Brewer Throws Arizona Base a Bone by Signing Bible Law|Terry Greene Sterling|April 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST

When conservatives see themselves as defenders of liberty against oppression, Democrats are the enthusiastic oppressors.
Live from Right-Wing Central|John Avlon, Benjamin Sarlin|February 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But we must go from among our oppressors; it never can be done by staying among them.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
If ignorance is useful to priests and to the oppressors of humanity, it is very fatal to society.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
In America you will be held up as the oppressors of mankind, and millions will daily pray for your signal and immediate defeat.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Mazzini, blinded by his partisanship, saw only proof that Cavour's sympathies were more with the oppressors than the oppressed.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
At last it was resolved at a council of the Olmec chiefs to free themselves once for all from their oppressors.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft

oppressor

Origin of oppressor

OTHER WORDS FROM oppressor

Words related to oppressor

How to use oppressor in a sentence