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oppression

noun
op·​pres·​sion | \ ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio) \

Definition of oppression

1a : 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
Other Words from oppression Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about oppression

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Examples of oppression in a Sentence

suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Recent Examples on the Web

 But unfortunately, politics and political movements are cyclical, and these themes of oppression are recurring. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Amanda Brugel Has a Game-Changing Theory About The Handmaid's Tale's Rita," 17 Aug. 2019 Latin America has a 500-year-old history of using music to document and resist racist oppression and violence. — Los Angeles Times, "In El Paso’s wake, a corrido honors the dead and points fingers at the villains," 10 Aug. 2019 Organizers said that living room gathering turned into a healing space grounded in a commitment to resist oppression, a goal that’s now spreading to a community book shop called 1977 Books. — USA TODAY, "Emoji house, Saharan dust, turtle crossing: News from around our 50 states," 8 Aug. 2019 Women continue to resist such oppression to this day. — Scott Stern, Teen Vogue, "How Capitalism Helped to Fuel the Mass Incarceration of Women," 25 June 2018 For many Texans, the Battle of the Alamo is remembered as a heroic resistance to oppression. — AZCentral.com, "After El Paso, Latinos across America voice a new kind of fear," 16 Aug. 2019 Even before the war of independence broke out, in November, 1954, Gardner Smith wrote about the oppression of Algerians in France. — Adam Shatz, The New Yorker, "“How Does It Feel To Be a White Man?”: William Gardner Smith’s Exile in Paris," 11 Aug. 2019 Some agreed with Kaepernick's act to draw attention to the oppression of minorities. — Marc Bona, cleveland.com, "Dee Haslam talks Browns, off-field initiatives, culture of leadership," 9 Aug. 2019 There are sentimental and reassuring movies about vengeance, and comforting stories about the resistance to historical oppression. — Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Indie Focus: Love and revenge in ‘The Nightingale’," 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oppression.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of oppression

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for oppression

Middle English oppressioun, borrowed from Anglo-French oppression, borrowed from Latin oppressiƍn-, oppressiƍ "action of pressing on or overpowering," from oppres- or *oppret-, variant stem of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower" + -tiƍn-, -tiƍ, suffix of verbal action — more at oppress

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More Definitions for oppression

oppression

noun
op·​pres·​sion | \ ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio) \

Kids Definition of oppression

: cruel or unjust use of power or authority

oppression

noun
op·​pres·​sion | \ ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio) \

Legal Definition of oppression

: 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

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