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 Its leaders, first under the nearly four-decade-long rule of Robert Mugabe, have long been accused of retaining power through oppression. John Eligon, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Everett’s counter-thesis is that oppression hardens; suffering sharpens. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Buttons and pins double as props, as Moghaddam makes the case that one’s choice in clothes is a vital means of expression, the limiting of which amounts to oppression. Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 In Walls, Windows and Blood, the great California photographer probes mystery and history but pushes an oppression agenda too hard. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024 Poles, with past oppression by Moscow rooted deeply in generational memory, are largely supportive of Ukraine. Vanessa Gera, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 One of the greatest tools of every kind of oppression—dictatorship, war, violence—is the dehumanization of the other. Liz Appel, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024 For some, God and the Bible are symbols of oppression. John Blake, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 Why, Asaf asks, does the manifesto wrap all such groups — Palestinians, Black Americans, victims of colonialist oppression worldwide — in its protective arms except one? Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oppression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near oppression

Cite this Entry

“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppression. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

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