oppression

Etymology

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

noun

1. The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
   "Tibet challenges the conscience of the world," I told the audience at a gathering outside the town's main temple. "If freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world." 2008, Nancy Pelosi, “A Voice That Will Be Heard”, in Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters, Doubleday, →LCCN, →OCLC, pages 95–96
2. The act of oppressing, or the state of being oppressed.
   Extreme freedom is followed by extreme oppression, said Plato.
3. A feeling of being oppressed.
   Our oppression was lifted by the reappearance of the sun.