3 syllables: Op, press, ion. Stress on press.
uh-PRESH-uhn
/əˈpɹɛʃən/
Oppression is pronounced uh-PRESH-uhn (/əˈpɹɛʃən/). It has three syllables (Op-press-ion), with the stress on "press". Oppression is a noun referring to prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, typically by those in power, that suppresses freedom, rights, or opportunities. It denotes systematic domination that marginalizes individuals or groups, often manifesting through policies, norms, or practices. The term carries a sense of weight, control, and injustice that persists over time.
nounOppression is a noun referring to prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, typically by those in power, that suppresses freedom, rights, or opportunities. It denotes systematic domination that marginalizes individuals or groups, often manifesting through policies, norms, or practices. The term carries a sense of weight, control, and injustice that persists over time.
"The protesters spoke out against political oppression and demanded reforms."
"Economic oppression can limit access to education, healthcare, and decent wages."
"Historically, oppression has targeted minority communities through laws and social practices."
Pronounce as /əˈpreʃ.ən/ (US/UK) with secondary stress on the first syllable in many connected phrases. The initial syllable is unstressed (schwa), the primary stress sits on the second syllable: o-PPRE-ssion. Mouth positions: start with a relaxed neutral vowel, then a forward, mid-central vowel for the second syllable, followed by the /ʃ/ sound in -sion. Listen for a crisp /ˈpreʃ/ portion; keep the /r/ light in non-rhotic accents when it appears after a vowel.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying op-PRESS-ion) or pronouncing the -sion as /zɪən/ instead of /ʃən/. Some learners replace /ʃ/ with /s/ or omit the /r/ in rhotic contexts, producing /əˈprestʃən/. To correct: emphasize the /ˈpreʃ/ cluster with a brief /r/ before it if your dialect allows; ensure the -sion is /ʃən/ and not /zən/. Practice saying the second syllable clearly as /ˈpreʃ/ before the final /ən/.
In rhotic US, you might hear a subtle /r/ after the initial vowel but not strongly; in many UK accents, /r/ is not pronounced after vowels (non-rhotic), giving /əˈpreʃən/. Australian English tends toward non-rhotic with a clear /əˈpreʃən/ and possibly a slightly tighter final vowel. Across all, the big anchor is /ˈpreʃ/ in the stressed syllable, with the final -sion as /ʃən/. IPA references align closely: US /əˈpreʃ.ən/, UK /əˈpreʃ.ən/, AU /əˈpreʃ.ən/.
Two main challenges: the /ɔː/ or schwa-vowel in the first syllable combined with a strong /ˈpreʃ/ cluster, and the /ʃən/ ending that can blur with a '/ʒən/' or '/zən/' in fast speech. The digraph -sion often yields /ʃən/ rather than /zən/. Tongue positioning for /ʃ/ is critical, and coordinating the unstressed initial syllable with the stressed middle can be tricky for non-native speakers.
The unique point is the placement of primary stress on the second syllable and the -sion ending pronounced /ʃən/. Practicing the medial /ˈpreʃ/ cluster relative to surrounding vowels helps you maintain rhythm in longer sentences. Visualization of /ˈpreʃ/ as the core beat, with an almost silent initial /ə/ or /ɪ/ depending on dialect, will improve naturalness in connected speech.
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Oppression comes from the late Middle English oppressioun, derived from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressionem (nominative oppressio) meaning a crushing, pressing down. The Latin verb opprimere means to press down, from op- (against) + premere (to press). In medieval and early modern usage, oppression described physical or metaphorical pressing down, often in social, political, or religious contexts. By the 16th–17th centuries, it extended to moral and juridical domination, and in modern English it commonly denotes systematic or institutionalized cruelty and domination. The term preserves the sense of inflicting pressure or constraint on people, groups, or ideas, highlighting power imbalances and the suppression of rights. First known uses appear in Latin texts and Old French legal-philosophical traditions, with English adoption becoming widespread during centuries where debates about tyranny, governance, and rights intensified. Over time, “oppression” has become a central term in social sciences, human rights discourse, and political philosophy, often paired with resistance, liberation, and advocacy terminology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Oppression" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Oppression"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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