French word

oppression

Pronunciation

IPA/opʁesjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounoppression

Example

Nous devons lutter contre l'oppression.

We must fight against oppression.

Illustration for oppression (oppression)

More examples

Il ressent une oppression dans la poitrine.

He feels oppression in his chest.

Core concept

An inward pressure that makes the body or spirit feel tightly constrained.

Common phrases

  • lutter contre l'oppression

    fight against oppression

  • oppression politique

    political oppression

  • oppression sociale

    social oppression

Similar words

pression: A tight, constricting pressure felt in the chest or body.
répression: Government suppression of opposition or protest through force or law.
contrainte: Limited freedom of choice caused by circumstances or necessity.
discrimination: Unfair treatment based on traits such as origin or gender.

Definition in French

Sensation de pression ou d'étouffement, physique ou morale, qui gêne le confort ou la respiration.

Word origin

Oppression is inherited from Latin oppressio, from opprimere, whose parts convey the idea of pressing something down.

Usage tips

  • For a physical symptom, French commonly uses the phrase une sensation d'oppression rather than oppression alone.

Opposites

Related words

  • opprimeroppressverb
  • oppriméoppressedadjective

Word lists with this word