oppression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oppression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the prolonged cruel or unjust treatment of a group of people or individuals. Example: "The novel explores themes of oppression and the struggle for freedom among marginalized communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Shia Islam, the hidden imam is predicted to reappear in Mecca and herald a new dawn of justice after the world has been torn asunder by violence and oppression.

The Guardian

And perhaps most importantly of all, this argument fails to see the links between these different forms of oppression and violence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not just physical violence, it's psychological oppression and control, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

It deals with the sense of oppression of living with a overprotective single mum, as evidenced by the lines quoted by jforbes: "Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true / Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you".

The Guardian

Nationalists believe it is a site of centuries of oppression - including the massacre of unarmed civil rights protesters by British paratroopers during Bloody Sunday.

The Guardian

"The world simply could not believe the pyramids were build without oppression and forced labour, but out of loyalty to the pharaohs".

The Guardian

In the spring of 2011, while other Tahrir protesters showered Scaf with praise, Seif led calls against the military's emergent oppression, in particular against the trial of civilians in military courts.

The Guardian

Joining together to offer support and advice in the face of oppression is a powerful act of resistance.

The Guardian

After colonisation, after European theft, after forms of state-created horror, it promised a world free from state oppression.

The Guardian - Tech

Morsi supporters detest the field marshal for presiding over a campaign of oppression that has seen over a thousand Morsi supporters killed, and thousands more arrested.

The Guardian

When we hear today's politicians offering us a choice between liberal freedom and fundamentalist oppression, and triumphantly asking the rhetorical question, "Do you want women to be excluded from public life and deprived of their rights?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oppression" to describe systematic injustice, not isolated incidents. Ensure the context clearly demonstrates a pattern of abuse of power.

Common error

Avoid using "oppression" to describe mere disagreements or personal conflicts. This dilutes the term's significance and misrepresents the scale of genuine systemic injustice.

Linguistic Context

The word "oppression" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the cruel or unjust exercise of power. Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing states of subjugation and systemic injustice. The analysis confirms that "oppression" is a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "oppression" is a noun used to describe the unjust exercise of power, commonly appearing in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing systemic injustices. While synonyms like "tyranny" and "repression" exist, "oppression" carries a specific connotation of prolonged and unjust treatment. When using the term, ensure the context warrants such a serious descriptor, avoiding its misapplication to isolated disagreements. Understanding its function, purpose, and register allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tyranny

Refers specifically to cruel and unjust rule or government.

repression

Focuses on the act of suppressing or restraining someone or something.

subjugation

Highlights the act of bringing someone or something under control by conquest.

persecution

Emphasizes the systematic mistreatment and punishment of a group or individual.

domination

Implies control or influence over someone or something.

authoritarianism

Denotes a political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

enslavement

Specifically refers to the state of being owned by another person.

discrimination

Highlights unfair treatment based on group affiliation.

marginalization

Focuses on the process of pushing a group or individual to the edge of society.

exploitation

Highlights the unfair use of someone or something for profit.

FAQs

How is "oppression" typically used in a sentence?

The word "oppression" is typically used to describe the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power. For example, "They fought against the "oppression" of the ruling regime."

What are some synonyms for "oppression"?

Synonyms for "oppression" include "tyranny", "repression", and "subjugation". Choose the word that best fits the specific context of your writing.

What is the difference between "oppression" and "repression"?

"Oppression" generally refers to prolonged unjust treatment or control, while "repression" focuses on the act of suppressing or restraining someone or something. Therefore, "oppression" is the state, "repression" is the act.

Can economic policies be a form of "oppression"?

Yes, economic policies can be a form of "oppression" when they systematically disadvantage or exploit a particular group of people, leading to sustained inequality and hardship. For example, policies that lead to economic "exploitation" could be seen as a form of "oppression".