Can the verbs "oppress" and "plague" be used interchangeably in this situation?
According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, to oppress means to make someone feel unhappy worried or uncomfortable and to plague means to cause pain, suffering, or trouble to someone. I am going to make up an example with the two verbs below.
(ex) He has been oppressed or plagued with difficult challenges all his life. However, he has overcome all of them by not giving up hope.
In this context, can I use the two verbs interchangeably? Thanks for your help.
Top answer
The better choice is 'plagued' because oppression usually comes from other people, especially those with power in society. "oppressed with difficult challenges" just doesn't work well. "oppressed by the rich land owners" is closer to how the word is used.
- The better choice is 'plagued' because oppression usually comes from other people, especially those with power in society.
- "oppressed with difficult challenges" just doesn't work well.
- "oppressed by the rich land owners" is closer to how the word is used.
- CJ
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The better choice is 'plagued' because oppression usually comes from other people, especially those with power in society.
"oppressed with difficult challenges" just doesn't work well.
"oppressed by the rich land owners" is closer to how the word is used.
CJ
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