oppression

noun

1. the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
2. an act or instance of oppressing or subjecting to cruel or unjust impositions or restraints.
3. the state of being oppressed.
4. the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

noun

1. the act of subjugating by cruelty, force, etc or the state of being subjugated in this way
2. the condition of being afflicted or tormented
3. the condition of having something lying heavily on one’s mind, imagination, etc

n.mid-14c., “cruel or unjust use of power or authority,” from Old French opression (12c.), from Latin oppressionem (nominative oppressio) “a pressing down; violence, oppression,” noun of action from past participle stem of opprimere (see oppress). Meaning “action of weighing on someone’s mind or spirits” is from late 14c.