oppression
uh-PREH-shuhn
Oppression (noun) means the use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group. Example: “The novel follows one family's struggle against political oppression.”
noun
1
The use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group.
"The novel follows one family's struggle against political oppression."
"Decades of oppression finally led to the uprising."
"Many history books describe the long oppression of ordinary workers by powerful landowners."
2
A heavy, weighed-down feeling, whether physical (like tightness in the chest) or mental.
"She felt a strange oppression in the humid, airless room."
"A feeling of oppression settled over him as the grey clouds thickened."
"The heavy oppression in the stuffy attic made it hard to breathe."
How to use oppression
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing kept down by unfair power — or the crushing feeling that comes with it.
Common pairings
systemic oppression
fight oppression
a feeling of oppression
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Word forms
- Plural
- oppressions
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The novel follows one family's struggle against political _____.
Etymology
From Old French oppression, from Latin oppressio ("a pressing down"), from the verb opprimere — "to press against, crush."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oppression
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for oppression →
Frequently asked questions
What does “oppression” mean?
The word “oppression” means the use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group. In plain terms, being kept down by unfair power — or the crushing feeling that comes with it.
How do you pronounce “oppression”?
“Oppression” is pronounced uh-PREH-shuhn (/əˈpɹɛʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “oppression” in a sentence?
Here is “oppression” used in a sentence: “The novel follows one family's struggle against political oppression.”
What part of speech is “oppression”?
“Oppression” is a noun.
Where does the word “oppression” come from?
The word “oppression” comes from Latin. From Old French oppression, from Latin oppressio ("a pressing down"), from the verb opprimere — "to press against, crush.".
Is “oppression” a common word?
“Oppression” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “oppression” have?
“Oppression” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group.
What is the difference between oppression and discrimination?
Oppression refers to the use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group, often systemic and sustained. Discrimination refers more narrowly to unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics like race or gender, and can occur as isolated acts without necessarily involving broader power structures.
Can oppression describe a physical feeling as well as social control?
Yes, oppression can also describe a heavy, weighed-down feeling, whether physical, such as tightness in the chest, or mental, such as a sense of being burdened or trapped. This sense is distinct from its more common use to describe unjust control over a group of people.
What is the difference between oppression and tyranny?
Oppression describes the general use of power in a cruel or unjust way to hold a person or group down, while tyranny specifically refers to oppressive rule by a single ruler or small group holding absolute power. Tyranny is one particular form that systemic oppression can take.
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