oppressed

adjective

op·​pressed ə-ˈprest How to pronounce oppressed (audio)
Synonyms of oppressed
: burdened by abuse of power or authority
Group identity in oppressed groups is always very strategic, always a calculation of advantage.—Shelby Steele
They are neither oppressed minorities, whose needs have been etched into the nation's consciousness, nor members of the ruling elite, born with their hands on the reins of power.—Anthony DeCurtis

Synonyms of oppressed

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Examples of oppressed in a Sentence

setting out on a quixotic quest to right wrongs and to raise up the oppressed peoples of the world
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dahl had no record of support for other minority, oppressed or marginalized group. — Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026 Of course, no one denouncing the tyranny of the old should forget how many elderly Americans have counted among the most oppressed, and still do. — Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026 The newspaper comic strip ran for over 60 years, following characters in an oppressed medieval kingdom. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 The Irish were the original oppressed people from the English Empire, and the original colony. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppressed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppressed was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing oppressed

Rhymes for oppressed

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Browse Nearby Words

oppress
oppressed
oppressible
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Cite this Entry

“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppressed. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on oppressed

Nglish: Translation of oppressed for Spanish Speakers

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