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
1
as in depressed
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of oppressed
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Ethics of risk There are many examples of Christian leaders who have taken on risks out of a religious and moral obligation to provide spiritual care for people in need or advocate for oppressed communities.
—Laura E. Alexander, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Adjective
Alper used his speech to express solidarity with oppressed people everywhere.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Ethics of risk There are many examples of Christian leaders who have taken on risks out of a religious and moral obligation to provide spiritual care for people in need or advocate for oppressed communities.
—Laura E. Alexander, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
She was oppressed by his big shadow.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed
Verb
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The machine worked by reading music that was encoded by holes punched into rolls of paper, which in turn directed airflows to levers that depressed piano keys.—
Adam Ozimek,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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Democrats who still believe in the New Deal-era promise of government helping the public are a bit depressed by the idea that the solution to their party’s problems is generating less money for that purpose.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When a refund isn't enough For people who are overwhelmed by debt or falling behind despite a refund, nonprofit credit counseling agencies can help.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Eilish then ran back into the crowd, overwhelmed with emotion.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most Americans are troubled by the belief that some wealthy people and corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in January.—
Linley Sanders,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Ward, now living in Denver, said she was troubled by how recent some events were.—
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Perez, Vargas and Blanco were devastated by the decision to let Braddy live.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
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But the loss of those extra property tax dollars devastated cities, which had been scrambling since Proposition 13 put the brakes on property tax increases.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was severely injured after being shot down in 1967 over North Vietnam and was tortured during his time as a prisoner of war.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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According to the Times coverage of the incident and subsequent lawsuit, the scenes shown in the classroom included autopsies, decaying cadavers and live animals being butchered, mutilated and tortured.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This marked just the second time Buffalo overcame a two-goal third-period deficit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Epstein said children more easily overcame fear because of their age.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Often, private equity investors kept the sale proceeds as profits while the hospitals were burdened with new rent costs.—
Jordan Rau,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
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King is especially distraught in the season finale after learning that she'll be deposed again in a lawsuit against the ER — a suit and deposition that has burdened the doctor all season.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With cleanup hitter Dillon Dingler at the plate, Crochet again fell behind 3-1 and left a four-seamer over the middle of the plate that Dingler crushed to center field for a three-run homer.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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Edgecombe and the Sixers were crushed by the Celtics Sunday, 123-91, and now trail Boston 1-0 in the first-round best-of-seven-series.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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