to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints; subject to a burdensome or harsh exercise of authority or power

a people oppressed by totalitarianism.

to lie heavily upon (the mind, a person, etc.)

Care and sorrow oppressed them.

to weigh down, as sleep or weariness does.

Archaic . to put down; subdue or suppress.

Archaic . to press upon or against; crush.

verb

aid , boost , delight , gladden , help , make happy

verb

abuse , afflict , aggrieve , annoy , beat down * , burden , crush , despotize , dishearten , dispirit , distress , encumber , force , handicap , harass , harry , hound * , keep down , maltreat , outrage , overcome , overload , overpower , overthrow , overwhelm , persecute , pick on , plague , press , prey on , put down , put screws to , put the squeeze on , put upon , ride , rule , sadden , saddle * , smother , strain , subjugate , suppress , tax , torment , torture , trample , trouble , tyrranize , vex , weigh heavy upon , worry , wrong , deject , weigh down , constrain , depress , dragoon , harrow , overburden , pressure , ravish , repress , subdue , tyrannize , weight