What does "oppression" mean?

1. (unjust use of power) the cruel and unfair treatment of a group of people by a government or person in power. 2. (a heavy feeling) a strong feeling of being worried, sad, or uncomfortable, as if a weight is on you.

How do you use "oppression"?

Often used as an uncountable noun when discussing the concept, but countable when referring to specific instances. Frequently used with the preposition 'of' followed by a noun like 'spirit' or 'heart'.

oppression

US //əˈpɹɛʃən// UK //əpɹˈɛʃən// op·pres·sion

1 unjust use of power (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the cruel and unfair treatment of a group of people by a government or person in power.

the systematic, cruel, or unjust exercise of authority or power over a subordinate group.

Example

The people fought for decades to end the oppression of the military government.

Example

The historian argued that systemic oppression was maintained through a combination of economic disenfranchisement and restricted access to education.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when discussing the concept, but countable when referring to specific instances.
- liberation
- freedom
2 a heavy feeling (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

a strong feeling of being worried, sad, or uncomfortable, as if a weight is on you.

a psychological or physical sense of heaviness, distress, or obstruction.

Example

A strange sense of oppression came over him as he entered the dark, silent house.

Example

She felt a profound oppression of spirit as the grey winter months dragged on without a hint of sunshine.

Usage

Frequently used with the preposition 'of' followed by a noun like 'spirit' or 'heart'.
- depression
- heaviness
- misery
- elation
- lightness

Origin

From Middle English oppression, from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressiō (“a pressing down, violence, oppression”), from opprimō; see oppress.