Oppress vs. Persecute

Oppressverb

(transitive) To keep down by unjust force.

Oppressverb

(transitive) To make sad or gloomy.

Oppressverb

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

Oppressverb

To impose excessive burdens upon; to overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.

Oppressverb

To ravish; to violate.

Oppressverb

To put down; to crush out; to suppress.

Oppressverb

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.

Oppressverb

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

Oppressverb

cause to suffer;

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.

Persecuteverb

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

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 adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.

Persecuteverb

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

Persecuteverb

cause to suffer;