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

Aside from China’s infringement on human rights having been brought up on the global stage, the resolution also brought China’s oppression of religious liberty to the national stage once again. —Pedro Rodriguez, The Washington Examiner, 23 Nov. 2025

Inspired in part by his suffragist mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage, who wrote one of the first historical studies of witch trials as a system of oppression against women, Baum actually created female characters who challenged the earlier tropes about witches and brooms. —Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Dedicated in 2010 and one of the city’s main tourist attractions, the staggering work represents freedom from centuries of colonial oppression. —Kayla Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025

Set in your garden variety futuristic police state, Running Man is the ages old inspirational yarn about one remarkable man’s fight against oppression and his struggle to restore the balance of power to the people. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 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