Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb oppress

2 senses of oppress

Sense 1
oppress, suppress, crush -- (come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority; "The government oppresses political activists")

Sense 2
persecute, oppress -- (cause to suffer; "Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union")
       => torment, rag, bedevil, crucify, dun, frustrate -- (treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher")