oppression

noun

op·​pres·​sion ə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce oppression (audio)
Synonyms of oppressionnext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Their historically varied diet, based on oats, milk, and butter, had been reduced by economic oppression to one tuber. — Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Religious institutions provided Black women with a network of allies, a platform for activism, and a source of hope in the face of oppression. — Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025 What has been happening in Iran is a reminder of resilience of women in the face of oppression. — Narges Mohammadi, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 In the gallery, the small photos hang in stark black frames, tracing resistance to oppression, discrimination and inequality over 100 years. — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 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

Rhymes for oppression

See All Rhymes for oppression

Browse Nearby Words

oppression
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppression. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

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
ə-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce oppression (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on oppression

Nglish: Translation of oppression for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oppression

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All