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
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
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
The first Gulf War liberated an oppressed population.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Kid is a member of an oppressed race who was driven to terrorism by the acts of the corporation that destroyed his home planet and vilified his race.
—Ryan Woodrow, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Atwood’s novel allows readers to map June’s hardship onto virtually any era in which women feel oppressed (which, horrifically, is every era in American history).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Adjective
Serkis keeps the spine of Orwell’s novella, about a group of oppressed farm animals who rebel against their human oppressors, only to repeat the humans’ mistakes, but his version takes a few liberties.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
The first Gulf War liberated an oppressed population.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Kid is a member of an oppressed race who was driven to terrorism by the acts of the corporation that destroyed his home planet and vilified his race.
—Ryan Woodrow, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Atwood’s novel allows readers to map June’s hardship onto virtually any era in which women feel oppressed (which, horrifically, is every era in American history).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed
Verb
-
Houston has athletic size, and that has overwhelmed the Clippers in previous matchups.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Even with her job as a server at Applebee’s, she was overwhelmed by the city’s punishing disparity.—
Jeff Hobbs,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While Walking to School Bus Stop Jordan’s dad, who wasn’t in the vehicle, is devastated.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Lewis witnessed school closures that critics said devastated the South and West sides.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Just three years ago, Bryant was what city planners call energy-burdened.—
Marina Lopes,
TIME,
18 Dec. 2024
-
The films were burdened from the start by the impossible task of adding depth to a character whose entire personality amounted to his ability to run really, really fast.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Very surprised and very saddened.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The business community is also bracing for potential impacts, with some worried that the new tolls could discourage shoppers and visitors, potentially leading to reduced foot traffic and sales in the affected areas.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Overall, the stock market had a strong 2024, even as Americans worried about the economy.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share