# oppression

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈpɹɛʃən/ · frequency rank #9,788

## Definitions
1. The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
2. The act of oppressing, or the state of being oppressed.
3. A feeling of being oppressed. Special usage may include a sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude.

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

## Easily confused with
- **oppressor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oppression-vs-oppressor)
- **oppressive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oppression-vs-oppressive)

## Common misspellings (12)
`opperssion`, `oppresion`, `oppresison`, `oppressino`, `oppressionn`, `oppressoin`, `opprestion`, `opprression`, `opprsesion`, `opression`, `oprpession`, `popression`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/oppression