oppress

 
Pronunciation: /əˈprɛs/

verb

[with object]
  • 1keep (someone) in subjection and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority: a system which oppressed working people
  • cause distress or anxiety to: he was oppressed by some secret worry

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French oppresser, from medieval Latin oppressare, from Latin oppress- 'pressed against', from the verb opprimere

Spelling help

Spell oppress with a double p and a double s.