oppression
n. uncountablen. the unfair or cruel treatment of a group of people by those in power. It often involves taking away people's rights or freedom over a long time.
n. prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority. Refers to the systemic exercise of power to disadvantage a specific group.
The people fought bravely against years of political oppression.
The new laws were seen as a tool of oppression designed to silence any form of public protest.
Historians argue that the systemic oppression of the working class during that era was the primary catalyst for the eventual revolution.
From Middle English oppression, from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressiō (“a pressing down, violence, oppression”), from opprimō; see oppress.
Uncountable in its general sense; occasionally countable when referring to specific historical instances or regimes.