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 of oppression

• 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

The 54-year-old was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her advocacy for human rights and freedom for all. —Connor Greene, Time, 8 May 2026

Her research aims to examine whether and how spirituality can endure as a form of cultural resilience even in systems permeated by market dynamics, injustice and oppression. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

How multiple languages fail in the face of war and oppression. —Literary Hub, 6 May 2026

We are all born free; taking away someone’s autonomy is an act of oppression. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

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