Word
oppressor
Phoneticsop·pres·sor, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɹɛsɝ/
UK/əpɹˈɛsɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person or group that has power over others and uses that power to treat them unfairly or cruelly.
n. a person or entity that exercises unjust or cruel authority over others. Often used in political or social contexts to describe those who maintain systemic inequality.
Examples
“The people finally rose up against their oppressor.”
“In many historical dramas, the hero is a common person who challenges the local oppressor to bring about justice.”
“The movement sought to dismantle the structures of power that allowed the oppressor to maintain control over the labor force and the local economy.”
Examples
simple
“The people finally rose up against their oppressor.”
contextual
“In many historical dramas, the hero is a common person who challenges the local oppressor to bring about justice.”
complex
“The movement sought to dismantle the structures of power that allowed the oppressor to maintain control over the labor force and the local economy.”
Real-World Examples
“But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed," he wrote.” Etymology
From Middle English oppressour, from Old French opressor and Latin oppressor; equivalent to oppress + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/oppressor