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
Between the sermons and songs calling for people to resist oppression and treat others with dignity, activists spoke about ways to donate and rally around the immigrant community.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
Officer Ronald Foy was indicted for official oppression, officer William Hulslander for official oppression and tampering with a governmental record, and former officer Joel Weinstein for tampering with a governmental record, according to a news release from the Denton Police Department.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Contrarily, especially as hoodoo has been used as a survival tool for Black women navigating systems of oppression, beauty rituals are integral to the tradition.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Living on the counter-plantation, or the lakou, involves relying upon small-scale landholding to resist the oppressions of the traditional plantation, the factory, and more recently, the industrial farm.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppression
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Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
Officer Ronald Foy was indicted for official oppression, officer William Hulslander for official oppression and tampering with a governmental record, and former officer Joel Weinstein for tampering with a governmental record, according to a news release from the Denton Police Department.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Contrarily, especially as hoodoo has been used as a survival tool for Black women navigating systems of oppression, beauty rituals are integral to the tradition.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Living on the counter-plantation, or the lakou, involves relying upon small-scale landholding to resist the oppressions of the traditional plantation, the factory, and more recently, the industrial farm.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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
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