The phrase "oppressive forces" refers to people, systems, or institutions that have a lot of power and use it to control, harm, or limit the freedom and rights of others. Full definition
If the life of crime doesn't swallow them up, there are oppressive forces prevalent that push back. (qwipster.net)
He believed in Jesus who liberates people from oppressive forces of this world in their social, political, economic and religious manifestations. (religion-online.org)
A startling portrait of a young woman fighting for her life and her unborn child against oppressive forces that manifest in the wake of a cataclysmic event. (bookbrowse.com)