oppression

oppression — noun

1. cruel control or treatment by a government or other powerful group that keeps pe

1.名詞C2
釋義

cruel control or treatment by a government or other powerful group that keeps people from freedom, rights, and a fair chance in life

例句

For years, the village lived under military oppression and curfews.

phrase: live under oppression

Students marched downtown to protest oppression of minority groups.

oppression of + group

同義詞
  • tyranny

    often points more directly to harsh rule by a ruler or government

  • repression

    focuses on forcing people to stop speaking or acting freely

  • persecution

    stresses repeated cruel treatment of a person or group

  • subjugation

    emphasizes being forced under another group's control

反義詞
  • freedom

    stresses the ability to live and act without cruel control

  • liberty

    is a more formal word for political or personal freedom

  • equality

    focuses on having the same rights and chances as others

文法句型

oppression of a group

live under oppression

fight oppression

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. Often appears with under when describing people's situation, and with of when naming the group that suffers it.

常見錯誤

❌The workers lived in oppression for years.
✅The workers lived under oppression for years.
💡'under oppression' is the usual phrase for this condition.
❌My strict coach is oppression.
✅My coach's treatment feels oppressive.
💡oppression usually describes a system or pattern of cruel control, not one single person by itself.

2. a heavy feeling of worry, sadness, or discomfort that seems to press on your min

2.名詞C2
釋義

a heavy feeling of worry, sadness, or discomfort that seems to press on your mind or body

例句

In the silent room, Nora felt a wave of oppression.

literary use for a heavy emotional feeling

Days of bad news filled the house with oppression.

同義詞
  • distress

    is a broader everyday word for strong mental pain or worry

  • gloom

    focuses more on darkness or sadness in mood or atmosphere

  • pressure

    is more common for stress caused by problems or demands

  • depression

    usually suggests a deeper and more lasting low state

反義詞
  • relief

    suggests the heavy feeling has lifted

  • ease

    focuses on comfort and the absence of inner strain

文法句型

a feeling of oppression

a sense of oppression

an air of oppression

用法筆記

Common in literary or descriptive writing. In everyday speech, people more often say pressure, distress, or depression, depending on the situation.