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
“He spoke to the social structure that was oppressing the garbage collectors. And for that, he gave his life. To me, that’s what Christian ministry is all about.”
From New York Times ● Nov. 1, 2020
The Hanukkah story goes something like this: A tyrannical ruler was oppressing the Jews.
From Salon ● Dec. 2, 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
Some dread, real or imaginary, was oppressing the man's mind, I mused.
From Bat Wing by Sax Rohmer
