Oppress vs. Persecute

Oppress vs. Persecute — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Oppress and Persecute

Oppressverb

(transitive) To keep down by unjust force.

The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.

Persecuteverb

To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death for one's race, sexual identity, adherence to a particular religious creed, or mode of worship.

He who persecutes one will persecute all.

Oppressverb

(transitive) To make sad or gloomy.

We were oppressed by the constant grey skies.

Persecuteverb

To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Oppressverb

Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.

Persecuteverb

cause to suffer;

Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union
ADVERTISEMENT

Oppressverb

come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;

The government oppresses political activists

Oppressverb

cause to suffer;

Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union