oppression

 
Pronunciation: /əˈprɛʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority: a region shattered by oppression and killing
  • the state of being subject to oppressive treatment: a response to collective poverty and oppression
  • mental pressure or distress: Beatrice’s mood had initially been alarm and a sense of oppression

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin oppressio(n-), from the verb opprimere (see oppress)