oppression
noun
op·pres·sion
ə-ˈpre-shən 
1
a
: unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power
the continuing oppression of the … underclasses—
H. A. Daniels
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
Examples of oppression in a Sentence
suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died
Recent Examples on the Web
Intersectionality acknowledges that there are multiple layers of oppression that need to be addressed to overcome these barriers.
—Anou Khot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Every other protection against tyranny and political oppression — that is, every aspect of a stable democratic system — suffers a possibly mortal blow if the basic tenets of an independent judiciary and the adversarial advocacy of lawyers are abandoned or lost.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
In a time when the idea of faith is often distorted by white Christian nationalism, Johnson is reclaiming Christianity as a tool for justice, not oppression.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
In many ways the reservations mark the dispossession, oppression and dependency deliberately created and recognized as indicators of colonialism by the United Nations.
—Phillip Whiteman Jr., The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppression
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.
Anou Khot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Every other protection against tyranny and political oppression — that is, every aspect of a stable democratic system — suffers a possibly mortal blow if the basic tenets of an independent judiciary and the adversarial advocacy of lawyers are abandoned or lost.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
In a time when the idea of faith is often distorted by white Christian nationalism, Johnson is reclaiming Christianity as a tool for justice, not oppression.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
In many ways the reservations mark the dispossession, oppression and dependency deliberately created and recognized as indicators of colonialism by the United Nations.
—Phillip Whiteman Jr., The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppression
Cite this Entry
“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppression. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oppression
noun
op·pres·sion
ə-ˈpresh-ən
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
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share