The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

drawn, in deadly embrace: Although they agree on some points,
the parties are in opposition on others.
oppress v. 1 burden, afflict, trouble, weigh down, overload, encumber,
wear (down), press, weary, overburden, overwhelm, Brit
pressurize, US pressure: He was oppressed by the heavy burden
of responsibility. 2 crush, repress, put down, suppress,
subjugate, tyrannize (over), subdue, overpower, enslave,
persecute, maltreat, abuse, harry, harass, trample underfoot,
ride roughshod over: The Russian serfs had been oppressed for
centuries before they finally rose up against tyranny.
oppression
n. repression, suppression, subjugation, subjection, tyranny,
despotism, enslavement, persecution, maltreatment, abuse,
torment, torture, hardship, injury, pain, anguish, injustice:
People who have not known oppression cannot imagine the agonies
suffered by the oppressed who once were free.
oppressive
adj. 1 burdensome, overpowering, overwhelming, onerous, heavy,
cumbersome, exhausting, racking, unbearable, intolerable,
agonizing, unendurable, harsh, brutal, severe, tyrannical,
repressive; dispiriting, depressing, disheartening,
discouraging, grievous, distressing, dolorous, miserable,
harrowing, wretched: The conquerors resorted to oppressive
measures to keep the people subjugated. 2 suffocating, stifling,
stuffy, close, airless, unventilated, uncomfortable: The
atmosphere in the tiny cell quickly became oppressive, and a
couple of people fainted.
oppressor n. bully, tyrant, taskmaster, taskmistress, despot, autocrat,
persecutor, slave-driver, dictator, overlord, iron hand,
scourge, tormentor, torturer, intimidator: The citizens finally
banded together and overthrew their oppressors.
optimistic
adj. sanguine, positive, cheerful, buoyant, bright, hopeful,
expectant, confident, bullish, idealistic, Pollyannaish: We
have every reason to be optimistic that the venture will
succeed.
optimum n. 1 best, finest, most favourable, ideal, perfection, model,