OPPRESSION Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

oppression

noun

ə-ˈpre-shən

Definition of oppression

as in sadness

a state or spell of low spirits suffered a lingering oppression in the weeks after his dog died

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of oppression That premise creates an obvious opportunity to explore how oppression is normalized differently across communities. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026 The rapper Nicki Minaj, who has recently taken a political turn to the right, testified before the United Nations about the oppression of Christians. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Few Venezuelans mourn Maduro’s departure after years of oppression and economic collapse. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 In the trailer, Zelie (Thuso Mbedu) and her older brother, Tzain (Tosin Cole), team up with the king’s daughter, Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg), and his son, Prince Inan (Damson Idris), to fight against the oppression of their people. — Malik Davis, VIBE.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppression

Noun

For example, expressing appreciation for past help or thanking the doctor for their time was more helpful than emphasizing sadness or frustration.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

The glacier was likely a cirque glacier, the officials said, which is a glacier that has formed in a depression or basin high in the mountains.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Sprague said the motive in the killings came down to giving Clancy a way out of her depression.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

The day ended in that same quad with feelings of sorrow, grief, shock and confusion.

— PJ Green August 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Going back to the Mets example, perhaps in an uber-technical sense a Mets’ loss could have marginal economic impact as some fans guzzle more beer to drown away their sorrows.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

For Alex’s family, those seven months have done little to dull the anguish over what happened to him — or their determination to see the two officers who fired the shots held responsible.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Browse Nearby Words

oppressing

oppression

oppressive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppression. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of oppression

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on oppression

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes