Oppress vs. Suppress: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Oppress" means to unjustly dominate or control others, often through force. "Suppress" means to restrain, inhibit, or quell something, like emotions or a revolt.
Key Differences
Oppress typically refers to the exercise of unjust or cruel power over individuals or groups, often seen in political or social contexts. Suppress, on the other hand, is more about forcibly putting an end to something, such as actions, thoughts, or public disturbances.
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Nov 30, 2023
Oppress is often used in a broader societal context, implying sustained subjugation and tyranny. In contrast, suppress might not always have a societal dimension and can relate to stopping or curbing anything from emotions to physical actions.
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Nov 30, 2023
When someone is oppressed, it implies a prolonged period of subjugation and abuse of power. To suppress, however, can be a temporary or immediate act, like suppressing a riot or a piece of information.
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The use of oppress is more common in discussing systemic issues like racism or sexism, where there's an ongoing power imbalance. Suppress, conversely, is often used in contexts like law enforcement, scientific research, or personal emotional management.
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Nov 30, 2023
In summary, while oppress focuses on the aspect of prolonged control or tyranny, often by a ruling party or group, suppress is about halting or concealing something, which can be an action, information, or even personal feelings.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Oppress and Suppress Definitions
Oppress
To dominate harshly and unfairly.
The oppressive regime silenced any form of dissent.
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Suppress
To hold back or restrain feelings or reactions.
She suppressed her anger during the meeting.
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Oppress
To weigh heavily on someone's mind or spirit.
The memories of war continued to oppress him.
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Suppress
To prevent the dissemination of information.
The scandal was suppressed by the authorities.
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Oppress
To cause distress or anxiety to someone.
He felt oppressed by the constant surveillance.
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Suppress
To stop or inhibit the activity or development of something.
The drug is used to suppress immune responses.
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Oppress
To keep someone in subservience and hardship.
The working class was oppressed under the harsh policies.
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Suppress
To consciously avoid thinking about something.
He suppressed memories of his traumatic childhood.
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Oppress
To exercise authority in a burdensome, cruel manner.
The ruler oppressed his subjects with heavy taxes and strict laws.
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Suppress
To put an end to forcibly; subdue
Suppress a rebellion. See Usage Note at repress.
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Oct 19, 2023
Oppress
To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority
A people who were oppressed by tyranny.
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Suppress
To curtail or prohibit the activities of
Suppress dissident groups.
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Oppress
To cause to feel worried or depressed
"People were at a loss ... oppressed by the atmosphere of the dead man's room" (Ward Just).
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated
Suppress evidence.
Suppress a film.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To deliberately exclude (unacceptable desires or thoughts) from the mind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Oppress
(transitive) To keep down by unjust force.
The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.
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Oct 19, 2023
Oppress
(transitive) To make sad or gloomy.
We were oppressed by the constant grey skies.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To restrain the growth, activity, or release of
Suppress a virus.
Suppress a hemorrhage.
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Oppress
Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.
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Oct 19, 2023
Oppress
To impose excessive burdens upon; to overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.
For thee, oppressèd king, am I cast down.
Behold the kings of the earth; how they oppressThy chosen!
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue.
Political dissent was brutally suppressed.
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Suppress
To restrain or repress, such as laughter or an expression.
I struggled to suppress my smile.
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Oppress
To put down; to crush out; to suppress.
The mutiny he there hastes to oppress.
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Suppress
(psychiatry) To exclude undesirable thoughts from one's mind.
He unconsciously suppressed his memories of abuse.
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Oppress
To produce a sensation of weight in (some part of the body); as, my lungs are oppressed by the damp air; excess of food oppresses the stomach.
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Suppress
To prevent publication.
The government suppressed the findings of their research about the true state of the economy.
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Oppress
Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activists
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Suppress
To stop a flow or stream.
The rescue team managed to suppress the flow of oil by blasting the drilling hole.
Hot blackcurrant juice mixed with honey may suppress cough.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To forbid the use of evidence at trial because it is improper or was improperly obtained.
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Suppress
(military) To stop or prevent the enemy from executing unwanted activities like firing, regrouping, observation or others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To overpower and crush; to subdue; to put down; to quell.
Every rebellion, when it is suppressed, doth make the subject weaker, and the prince stronger.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To keep in; to restrain from utterance or vent; as, to suppress the voice; to suppress a smile.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To retain without disclosure; to conceal; not to reveal; to prevent publication of; as, to suppress evidence; to suppress a pamphlet; to suppress the truth.
She suppresses the name, and this keeps him in a pleasing suspense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To stop; to restrain; to arrest the discharges of; as, to suppress a diarrhea, or a hemorrhage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To put down by force or authority;
Suppress a nascent uprising
Stamp down on littering
Conquer one's desires
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activists
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
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Oct 19, 2023
Suppress
To forcibly put an end to something.
The government moved to suppress the uprising.
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Nov 30, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are oppressed and suppressed interchangeable?
No, they have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can suppress be used in an emotional context?
Yes, suppress can refer to controlling or holding back emotions or thoughts.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can suppress be a positive action?
In some contexts, like suppressing harmful bacteria or fires, it can be positive.
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What does it mean to suppress a report or information?
It means to prevent the information from being disseminated or known.
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Can a person oppress themselves?
The term is generally used in the context of one entity exercising control over another, not self-directed.
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What does it mean to oppress someone?
Oppressing someone involves exercising harsh control or tyranny over them, often in a sustained manner.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can oppressive actions be legal?
Yes, oppressive actions can be legal, though they are often considered unethical or unjust.
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Is oppress always related to government or politics?
While often used in political contexts, oppress can refer to any form of harsh control or tyranny, not just by governments.
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What are common synonyms for oppress?
Tyrannize, subjugate, and dominate are common synonyms.
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Are there medications that suppress certain functions?
Yes, there are medications designed to suppress things like immune responses or allergic reactions.
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Can societies be oppressed?
Yes, societies or groups can be oppressed, often in the context of systemic inequality or tyranny.
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Can a government be both oppressive and suppressive?
Yes, a government can be oppressive in its control and suppressive in its actions.
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Is suppression always intentional?
Typically, suppression is an intentional act, though unconscious suppression, especially of emotions, can occur.
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Are there historical examples of oppressive regimes?
Yes, throughout history, there are numerous examples, like apartheid in South Africa or Stalin's regime in the Soviet Union.
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Is suppression a form of censorship?
It can be, especially when it refers to controlling information or speech.
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Can therapy help with suppressed emotions?
Yes, therapy is often used to address and process suppressed emotions.
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Is suppress always violent?
No, suppression can be non-violent, like suppressing a memory or emotion.
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Can oppressive systems change?
Yes, oppressive systems can change, often through social movements and reforms.
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Is it possible to suppress a natural instinct?
Yes, it's possible to suppress natural instincts through conditioning or conscious effort.
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What is the opposite of oppress?
Liberate or emancipate are often considered opposites.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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