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Glite Dictionary
to dismantle oppression

to dismantle oppression

8.8
To work to end unfair treatment of groups with less power in society
  • phrasal verb
  • Formal
translation icon : desmantelar la opresión
  • She believes education is a powerful tool to dismantle oppression and promote equality.

Examples

  • Activists work to dismantle oppression everywhere.

  • We must dismantle oppression in our communities!

  • Government policy changes can help dismantle oppression embedded within social institutions.

  • Many activists dedicate their work to dismantle oppression in marginalized communities.

  • Government policy changes can help dismantle oppression embedded within social institutions.

  • She believes education is a powerful tool to dismantle oppression and promote equality.

  • Many activists dedicate their efforts to dismantle oppression in marginalized communities.

Antonyms

fostering equality
4.2

Helping people have the same rights and chances

Surface Forms

dismantle oppression infinitive
dismantled oppression past
dismantled oppression past participle
dismantling oppression present participle
dismantles oppression third person singular

Morphology

dismantle + oppression

The verb 'dismantle' literally means to take apart or remove the components of something, and 'oppression' denotes systematic unjust control; combining them yields the clear sense of taking apart or removing oppressive systems. This is a direct, predictable metaphorical extension (apply a physical 'take apart' action to a social problem) that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Dismantle oppression paints a picture of taking a machine or wall apart: to dismantle means to remove each piece and oppression is the system that keeps people down. So, imagining pulling a machine apart helps show why it means 'to remove or end unfair systems and treatment'.