Oppression Terminology

verb to deprive of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote

• The new voting law could disenfranchise many minority voters.
• The new rule might disenfranchise a lot of people from voting.
• The new policy is going to strip away voting rights from many folks.
• The decision to close polling stations will disenfranchise entire communities.

noun the state of being under the control or authority of someone else

• Citizens should not be under the subjection of unjust laws.
• I don't want to be under anyone's subjection, man.
• I'm not gonna let that teacher keep me in subjection like that.
• Her mind was under the subjection of fear, preventing her from taking risks.

verb to bring under control or domination, usually by force

• The indigenous people were subjugated by the colonial powers.
• The team was subjugated by their opponents in the match.
• She felt completely subjugated by her controlling boyfriend.
• Her fear subjugated her ability to speak up for herself.

noun the state of being subordinate or obedient

adjective subservient

• The servant's subservience to his master was evident in the way he followed orders without question.
• She resented the subservience expected of her at the job.
• I'm not about to show subservience to anyone, no way.
• The company's subservience to profit over ethics led to its downfall.

verb to rule or govern in a tyrannical or oppressive manner

• The dictator proceeded to tyrannize the population, imposing strict laws and harsh punishments.
• The boss tends to tyrannize his employees by micromanaging every aspect of their work.
• Don't let your parents tyrannize you into doing something you don't want to do.
• The dark clouds seemed to tyrannize the sky, blocking out all sunlight.

noun arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power

• The citizens revolted against the tyranny of the oppressive government.
• We can't let the tyranny of our boss ruin our workplace.
• Don't be a victim of relationship tyranny, stand up for yourself.
• The tyranny of perfectionism can be detrimental to one's mental health.