How to pronounce oppression
Say it like uh-PRESH-un. Oppression has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oppression. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- PRESH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oppression pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PRESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of oppression
American and British speakers say oppression in essentially the same way: /əˈprɛʃən/ in the US and /əˈprɛʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-PRESH-un.
What does oppression mean?
- the act of subjugating by cruelty“the tyrant's oppression of the people”
- the state of being kept down by unjust use of force or authority:“after years of oppression they finally revolted”
- a feeling of being oppressed
Where does oppression come from?
From Middle English oppression, from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressiō (“a pressing down, violence, oppression”), from opprimō; see oppress.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with oppression
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of oppression.
Questions about saying oppression
How do you pronounce oppression?
Say uh-PRESH-un. The American pronunciation is /əˈprɛʃən/. In British English it is /əˈprɛʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oppression?
Oppression has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRESH). Broken into parts: uh · PRESH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say oppression the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈprɛʃən/ and the British form is /əˈprɛʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.