oppression

noun

op·pres·sion | \ə-ˈpre-shən

Definition of oppression

1a : unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power the continuing oppression of the … underclasses— H. A. Daniels

b : something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power unfair taxes and other oppressions

2 : a sense of being weighed down in body or mind : depression an oppression of spirits

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Examples of oppression in a Sentence

suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Recent Examples on the Web

To put one’s hope in Jesus, then, is to believe despite all the evidence to the contrary Jesus’ way of peace, justice, mercy and compassion will ultimately prevail over the empire’s ways of violence, exploitation, oppression and fear. — Rachel Held Evans, Washington Post, "The Bible is literature for the resistance," 12 July 2018 Serena once gave him that, but Gilead's continued oppression and June's influence has changed her. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2 finale recap: The fight finally begins," 11 July 2018 Then came oppression and violence, resistance and resilience, and historical oblivion. — Randy Dotinga, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Bone and Sinew of the Land' restores a lost chapter of US history," 25 June 2018 But our sessions took a weird turn when some of my anxiety about my income and struggle with friends and family intersected with racial oppression and microaggressions. — Jacy Topps, Glamour, "Why I'll Be Choosing My Next Therapist by Race," 30 May 2018 It was used to justify slavery and to quiet moral qualms over unyielding oppression and violence. — Ezra Klein, Vox, "Sam Harris, Charles Murray, and the allure of race science," 27 Mar. 2018 Kisaku wants his American audiences to know that immigrants come from his country not only for better economic prospects but also to escape oppression and authoritarianism. — Michael Melia, courant.com, "Congolese Performance Artist Wins Political Asylum; Will Perform At Arts & Ideas," 21 Mar. 2018 In the eyes of much of the world, then, the most famous father-son-son lineage in Korean history is synonymous with oppression and terror. — Ed Park, The Cut, "One dad on the stories he and his sons share.," 6 Mar. 2018 Jeremiah, for example, wore an ox yoke around his neck to symbolize Israel’s impending oppression under the Babylonian Empire. — Rachel Held Evans, Washington Post, "The Bible is literature for the resistance," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oppression.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for oppression

Middle English oppressioun, borrowed from Anglo-French oppression, borrowed from Latin oppressiōn-, oppressiō "action of pressing on or overpowering," from oppres- or *oppret-, variant stem of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at oppress

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Dictionary Entries near oppression

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Last Updated

15 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for oppression

The first known use of oppression was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for oppression

oppression

noun

op·pres·sion | \ə-ˈpre-shən

Kids Definition of oppression

: cruel or unjust use of power or authority

oppression

noun

op·pres·sion | \ə-ˈpre-shən

Legal Definition of oppression

: an unjust or excessive exercise of power: as

a : unlawful, wrongful, or corrupt exercise of authority by a public official acting under color of authority that causes a person harm

b : dishonest, unfair, wrongful, or burdensome conduct by corporate directors or majority shareholders that entitles minority shareholders to compel involuntary dissolution of the corporation

c : inequality of bargaining power resulting in one party's lack of ability to negotiate or exercise meaningful choice — see also unconscionability