oppression

[ uh-presh-uhn ]

/ əˈprɛʃ ən /

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noun

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

an act or instance of oppressing or subjecting to cruel or unjust impositions or restraints.

the state of being oppressed.

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

Nearby words

Origin of oppression

1300–50; Middle English oppressioun < Middle French < Latin oppressiōn- (stem of oppressiō) a pressing down, equivalent to oppress(us) (see oppress) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR oppression

1 tyranny, despotism, persecution.

3, 4 hardship, suffering.

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ANTONYMS FOR oppression

1 kindness, justice.

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Related formsnon·op·pres·sion, nounpre·op·pres·sion, nounself-op·pres·sion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oppression

Jundullah and Jaish ul Adl sprang up “in reaction to that kind of oppression,” he said.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If anything, every new religion emerged at least in part as a protest against violence and oppression.
Karen Armstrong’s New Rule: Religion Isn’t Responsible for Violence|Patricia Pearson|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But for many Muslim women, religion is seen as a source of liberation rather than a source of oppression.
Twin visions of Islamic Feminism Split Muslim Community|Shaheen Pasha|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dovlatov was a merciless opponent of oppression, whose chief weapon was one dictatorships are rarely good at facing: humor.
From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way|Daniel Genis|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Dovlatov hated Soviet oppression and battled repression subtly, by not condescending to notice it, and keeping things light.
From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way|Daniel Genis|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He wrought a state out of tribal kinship and fostered an independence and self-reliance which no oppression could destroy.
Optimism|Helen Keller
A nightmare is not always a sense of oppression on the chest only; it may be an overpowering dread of something you dream you see.
Cecilia de Nol|Lanoe Falconer
Judge for yourselves whether he sanctioned such a system of oppression and crime.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus|American Anti-Slavery Society
Suffering under the oppression of the Tartar tax collectors, the people revolted under the leadership of Alexander.
The Story of Russia|R. Van Bergen, M.A.
Poverty, oppression and wretchedness was the lot of the many.
Mizora: A Prophecy|Mary E. Bradley

British Dictionary definitions for oppression

oppression

/ (əˈprɛʃən) /

noun

the act of subjugating by cruelty, force, etc or the state of being subjugated in this way

the condition of being afflicted or tormented

the condition of having something lying heavily on one's mind, imagination, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for oppression

oppression

mid-14c., "cruel or unjust use of power or authority," from Old French opression (12c.), from Latin oppressionem (nominative oppressio) "a pressing down; violence, oppression," noun of action from past participle stem of opprimere (see oppress). Meaning "action of weighing on someone's mind or spirits" is from late 14c.

oppression

noun

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Origin of oppression

Examples from the Web for oppression

British Dictionary definitions for oppression

oppression

noun

Word Origin and History for oppression

oppression