oppression

noun

op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpre-shən 

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

Synonyms

• sadness
• depression
• sorrowfulness
• melancholy
• sorrow
• anguish
• mournfulness

Examples of oppression in a Sentence

suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Recent Examples on the Web

Robeson put the problem of Black American oppression in the context of international relations and suggested that if the US government couldn’t stop lynchings, foreign nations should intervene to protect Black citizens. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Aug. 2025

While global headlines fixate on Iran’s nuclear program or its regional power plays, another crisis rages just beneath the surface, the oppression of Afghan refugees and ethnic minorities within Iran. —Jila Andalib, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025

For Palestinians, who live under the crushing weight of Israeli occupation, there is no debate: the systemic oppression of a people has no place in any democracy. —Tariq Habash, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

Schwab probes notions of female rage, hunger, and love, using the notion of immortality to interrogate the sacrifices women must make in a world designed for their oppression. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oppression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• possession

Kids Definition

oppression

noun

op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: cruel or unjust use of authority or power

2

: a feeling of low spirits

Legal Definition

oppression

noun

op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpre-shən 

: 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

oppressive

ə-ˈpre-siv 

adjective