OPPRESSED Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

oppressed 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprest

Definition of oppressed

as in persecuted

suffering grave abuse or injustice at the hands of one in authority setting out on a quixotic quest to right wrongs and to raise up the oppressed peoples of the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

oppressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oppress

as in depressed

to make sad this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in overwhelmed

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress a film about a man who is haunted and oppressed by the secrets of his past

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of oppressed

Adjective

The Irish were the original oppressed people from the English Empire, and the original colony. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 The body pointed to the fact that Iran’s Farabi cinema body, which oversees the country’s submission, was directly controlled by the hardline Islamic Republic regime government, which in turn has suppressed freedom of speech and brutally oppressed filmmakers across its 47 years in power. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 May 2026

Verb

Man oppressed woman legally, economically, socially, educationally, morally, professionally and religiously. — Brian Delay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 Your structure sorts the whole world into two boxes, oppressor and oppressed. — Joyce Kamanitz, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppressed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed

Verb

Jim Crow segregation, discrimination and systemic racism further depressed the Black population’s ability to build wealth that is still largely concentrated among white families.

— Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Jim Crow segregation, discrimination and systemic racism further depressed the Black population's ability to build wealth that is still largely concentrated among white families.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressed

Verb

Following Stark’s rescue, the first responders at Paradise Canyon Drive were overwhelmed, according to two civilians who were present and Hernandez’s body-camera footage.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Swain settled in this preseason, showing an improved progression in his decision making when he was not overwhelmed by on-ball duties.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of overwhelmed

Verb

But Washburn is further troubled by A-83’s language mandating hunting and angling as preferred methods of wildlife management.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Although California had technically abolished slavery in its 1849 constitution, no legal authority troubled Smith about his human property.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of troubled

Verb

Iran’s military has been devastated by American attacks, but the Iranian forces have continued to launch missiles, drones and naval operations to inflict damage in the region.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
At home, the United States had defeated their armies, destroyed their infrastructure, retaken their territory, emancipated their enslaved, and devastated their economy and society into a catastrophic mess.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of devastated

Verb

Kaprizov and Hartman scored in the third period as Minnesota overcame a 3-1 deficit to force overtime.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Craig overcame being sacked four times and the run game producing just 33 yards to lead TCU to the massive victory, as the Horned Frogs scored multiple touchdowns against a Power Four conference opponent for the first time this season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of overcame

Verb

Kaegi said their decisions unfairly burdened homeowners, but the board argued Kaegi aimed too high.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
But many of the vehicles still lack the cash flow to pay interest and remain burdened with unprofitable public projects, S&P said.

— Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of burdened

Verb

Honestly, getting dragged out on a jet ski in marine clothing and thrown into waves and getting crushed by waves was extremely fun.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Roma's confidence will be low after being crushed 6-0 by Barca and held goalless by Belgian side OH Leuven.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of crushed

Browse Nearby Words

oppress

oppressed

oppresses

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of oppressed

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes