oppress

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op·press / əˈpres/ • v. [tr.] (often be oppressed) keep (someone) in subservience and hardship, esp. by the unjust exercise of authority: a system that oppressed working people | [as adj.] (oppressed) oppressed racial minorities. ∎  cause (someone) to feel distressed, anxious, or uncomfortable: he was oppressed by some secret worry.DERIVATIVES: op·pres·sor / əˈpresər/ n.

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