oppression

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noun op·pres·sion \ ə-ˈpre-shən \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of oppression

1 a :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

See oppression defined for kids

Examples of oppression in a Sentence

suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Recent Examples of oppression from the Web

Today, however, China's authoritarian regime is directing its tools of oppression at beloved children's book character Winnie the Pooh.

— jay willis, GQ, "China Reportedly Banned Winnie the Pooh Like a Bunch of Damn Fools," 17 July 2017
Resistance to oppression can be violent and non-violent struggle.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Women’s March Activist Uses the Term ‘Jihad’ in Speech, Outrage Ensues," 7 July 2017
To a live bass-and-keyboards soundtrack of original jazz compositions and traditional children's street rhymes, the dancers evoke both the freedoms and the oppressions of youth.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "Arts & Ideas: Still Time To See Unique Shows," 20 June 2017
As a result, Adams isn't interested in depicting black oppression and struggle.

— danielle a. scruggs, Chicago Reader, "For Derrick Adams, black imagination is the future," 20 June 2017
Finally, attendees gained a deeper commitment to caring and taking action against all forms of oppression and learned new skills to interrupt forms of bias and discrimination.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Killingly Edition," 19 June 2017
In her masterly chronicle of American mass incarceration, The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander argues convincingly that our current era is defined by its continuity with previous eras of white supremacy and black oppression.

— chris hayes, The Hive, "How America Became a Colonial Leader in Its Own Cities," 19 June 2017
Over 20 authors and writers have created tales and characters that speak to American hardship, oppression, and heartbreak.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "E3 2017’s brightest indie games, cataloged in words and video," 17 June 2017
Senior administration officials said the impetus for the changes was born from a campaign promise and the concern that the Obama-era policies were contributing to the oppression on the island.

— ali vitali, NBC News, "Trump Seeks Limited Changes to Obama Cuba Policy," 15 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

oppression Synonyms

OPPRESSION Defined for Kids

oppression

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noun op·pres·sion \ ə-ˈpre-shən \

Definition of oppression for Students

:cruel or unjust use of power or authority

Law Dictionary

oppression

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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

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