# oppress

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈpɹɛs/ · frequency rank #33,772

## Definitions
1. To keep down by unjust force.
2. To make sad or gloomy.
3. Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.
4. To sexually violate; to rape.

## Etymology
From Middle English oppressen, from Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare (“to press against, oppress”), frequentative of Latin opprimere, past participle oppressus (“to press against, press together, oppress”), from ob (“against”) + premere, past participle pressus (“to press”); see press.

## Easily confused with
- **oppressed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oppress-vs-oppressed)
- **oppressor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oppress-vs-oppressor)

## Common misspellings (7)
`opperss`, `oppres`, `opprress`, `opprses`, `opress`, `oprpess`, `popress`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/oppress