oppress
verb (used with object)
to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints; subject to a burdensome or harsh exercise of authority or power.
was oppressing
-
past progressiveof oppress.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We took out a horrendous, horrible leader who was oppressing his own people,” Jost said.
From Salon ● Mar. 1, 2026
The Hanukkah story goes something like this: A tyrannical ruler was oppressing the Jews.
From Salon ● Dec. 2, 2018
I didn’t want to play an officer who was oppressing people.
From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2018
So I think we should all look at this story, in the sense that this was one person who stood against a system that was oppressing people.
From The Verge ● Sep. 11, 2016
Cairn was a poor actor; already his rôle was oppressing him.
From Brood of the Witch-Queen by Sax Rohmer
