oppression

noun

op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio)
1
a
: unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power
the continuing oppression of the … underclassesH. 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

Examples of oppression in a Sentence

suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Russians have endured too much government oppression for too long. Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025 Commerce Department sanctions on iFLYTEK came into force in 2019 over its alleged role in the oppression of Muslims in China’s far-western Xinjiang region using high-technology surveillance. Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 The economic and cultural backlash to Israel has sparked comparisons to the pressure placed on South Africa during the era of apartheid racial oppression. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 For all the cruelty, paranoia and oppression of the Red Scare in the 1940s and 1950s, there really were Soviet spies in America. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oppression

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppression was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppression. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

oppression

noun
op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce oppression (audio)
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 How to pronounce oppression (audio)
: 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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on oppression

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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