oppression

noun

ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio)
Definition of oppressionnext
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of oppression America has long served as a beacon of hope for those facing violent oppression in their countries. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 The women provided examples of female oppression in society at the time. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026 Throughout the speech, the socialist mayor argued that the United States has been defined by generations of immigrants and other groups overcoming oppression while casting today’s political and economic leaders as forces working against that legacy. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 Britain’s oppression invited the people to take charge of their government, inaugurating a period of broader political participation. — T. H. Breen, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppression
  1. sadness
  2. depression
  3. melancholy
  4. sorrow
  5. anguish
  6. mournfulness
Noun
  • Each new body part is tinged with a bit of pleasure, pushing up against the edges of my sadness and embracing it chummily.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The Hole Truth And Nothing Butt, telling the story of these Texan wildmen and their real-life moments of brilliance and hilarity, with revelations of profound sadness.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Yet, despite the dwindling popularity of both alcohol and cigarettes, various cancers, not to mention other serious conditions like diabetes and depression, have all been on the rise—again, especially in young people.
    — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026
  • The stress that police officers experience is associated with higher rates of divorce, alcohol abuse, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of depression
Noun
  • Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Don Hertzfeldt occasionally comes to mind for a similarly pervasive mood of questioning, philosophical melancholy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • As the genre’s name suggests, country music tends to be preoccupied with place; the charts are full of tributes to the satisfaction of being firmly rooted in a small town, and the sorrows of leaving it behind.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • Bet your bottom dollar that Son Heung-min, LAFC’s $26-million man — the record MLS fee for an incoming player — would peel himself off the mat and clear away the cobwebs and the sorrow of the past few weeks and months.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • But Nolan puts the anguish of the war at the center of his movie.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Yet, outside the excellently claustrophobic Trojan Horse scenes, Nolan is more interested in exploring his anguish than his spoils.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Power Ballad should be breezy and fun, with that twist of mournfulness that Carney is always so adept at pulling off.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 May 2026
Definition of mournfulness

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Cite this Entry

“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppression. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on oppression

Nglish: Translation of oppression for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oppression

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