Oppress vs. Persecute

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 UnionADVERTISEMENT
Oppressverb
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activistsOppressverb
cause to suffer;
Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union