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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Synonyms & Antonyms for oppression
Synonyms
- blue devils,
- blues,
- dejection,
- depression,
- desolation,
- despond,
- despondence,
- despondency,
- disconsolateness,
- dispiritedness,
- doldrums,
- dolefulness,
- downheartedness,
- dreariness,
- dumps,
- forlornness,
- gloom,
- gloominess,
- glumness,
- heartsickness,
- joylessness,
- melancholy,
- miserableness,
- mopes,
- mournfulness,
- sadness,
- sorrowfulness,
- unhappiness
Antonyms
- bliss,
- blissfulness,
- ecstasy,
- elatedness,
- elation,
- euphoria,
- exhilaration,
- exuberance,
- exultation,
- felicity,
- gladness,
- gladsomeness,
- happiness,
- heaven,
- intoxication,
- joy,
- joyfulness,
- joyousness,
- jubilation,
- rapture,
- rapturousness
Examples of oppression in a Sentence
suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died
Recent Examples on the Web Our nation did not establish Columbus Day to commemorate oppression or discrimination.
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Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Labor widens war on un-American and anti-white diversity training," 13 Oct. 2020 The history of intolerance and oppression offers lessons for our time -- and the future.
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Maria Shine Stewart, cleveland, "Our youth can shape a better world: Sun Messages," 5 Oct. 2020 This leads to various degrees of marginalisation and oppression in women.
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Sreya Banerjea, Quartz India, "Up for sale: Stories of three Indian women who were trafficked as brides," 3 Oct. 2020 The neighborhood was one of few places where Black and Native Americans could coexist without experiencing daily, virulent oppression.
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Sandra E. Garcia, New York Times, "On Long Island, a Beachfront Haven for Black Families," 1 Oct. 2020 More than 33,000 North Koreans have fled to the South since the early 1990s to escape poverty and political oppression.
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Washington Post, "North Korean troops shot and cremated missing South Korean official, Seoul says," 24 Sep. 2020 Turner, 31, was fired in 2018 and arrested on charges attempted theft by deception, unsworn falsifying, obstructing justice and official oppression related to the reports department officials alleged had been falsified.
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Claudia Lauer, Star Tribune, "Fired, pro-Black Lives Matter officer sues to get job back," 18 Sep. 2020 But in some of its other definitions, the word can have troubling associations with slavery, subjugation and oppression of native residents.
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Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Goodspeed’s annual writers gathering drops ‘colony’ from name," 17 Sep. 2020 However, the Texans players had discussed staging a protest during both anthems in an attempt to continue to draw attention to the ongoing problems of police brutality against people of color and systemic oppression.
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Mike Jones, USA TODAY, "Houston Texans players choose not to be on field for national anthem," 11 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for oppression
oppression
nounop·pres·sion | \ ə-ˈpre-shən \
\Kids Definition of oppression
: cruel or unjust use of power or authority
oppression
nounop·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
Other Words from oppression
oppressive \ ə-ˈpre-siv \ adjective
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Time Traveler for oppression
The first known use of oppression was in the 14th century
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