OPPRESS

v. 1 burden, afflict, trouble, weigh down, overload, encumber, wear (down), press, weary, overburden, overwhelm, Brit pressurize, US pressure He was oppressed by the heavy burden of responsibility 2 crush, repress, put down, suppress, subjugate, tyrannize (over), subdue, overpower, enslave, persecute, maltreat, abuse, harry, harass, trample underfoot, ride roughshod over The Russian serfs had been oppressed for centuries before they finally rose up against tyranny