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

After all, if words are the weapons of oppression, then isn’t an evangelical Republican giving a speech just an armed and dangerous enemy? —Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

Le Guin’s work recognizes that while some people are resigned to the status quo, others are catalyzed by it to leave, if not to confront, systems of oppression. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025

Pep talks, affirmations or an arm around your shoulder are good medicine to co-exist with your under-estimator’s oppression. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Across centuries, rulers who built their power on fear or oppression seemed immovable in their day. —John Hope Bryant, Time, 6 Sep. 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