oppression

[ uh-presh-uhn ]

noun

1. the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.

   Synonyms: persecution, despotism, tyranny

   Antonyms: justice, kindness

2. an act or instance of oppressing or subjecting to cruel or unjust impositions or restraints.
3. the state of being oppressed.

   Synonyms: suffering, hardship

4. the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

   Synonyms: suffering, hardship

oppression

/ əˈprɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of subjugating by cruelty, force, etc or the state of being subjugated in this way
2. the condition of being afflicted or tormented
3. the condition of having something lying heavily on one's mind, imagination, etc

Other Words From

• nonop·pression noun
• preop·pression noun
• self-op·pression noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oppression¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oppressioun, from Middle French, from Latin oppressiōn-, stem of oppressiō “a pressing down,” equivalent to oppress(us) “pressed down” + -iō noun suffix; oppress, -ion

Example Sentences

And as much as Bread & Roses deals with stories of loss and oppression, the film is also about resilience and hope.

From BBC

This is the third year in a row a country hosting the climate summit has been accused of oppression and curtailing the legal right to protest.

From BBC

They saw these mandates as bound up in the oppressions of feudalism and what Jefferson described as "artificial aristocracy."

From Salon

I can only imagine how Black women, who have to deal with double oppression, felt.

From Salon

Soraya Chemaly, author of the appropriately named "Rage Becomes Her," pointed out to me that other forms of oppression, like racism and homophobia, rely on marginalization.

From Salon

Related Words

• abuse
• brutality
• coercion
• cruelty
• despotism
• dictatorship
• domination
• injustice
• maltreatment
• persecution
• suffering
• tyranny