English to English

verb (v)

• come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority(verb.social)

  Example:
  The government oppresses political activists.
  

  Synonym:
  crush, suppress
  

  source: wordnet30
• cause to suffer(verb.social)

  Synonym:
  persecute
  

  source: wordnet30
• To impose excessive burdens upon; to overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.(verb)

  source: webster1913