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
Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Forget Martha’s Vineyard, poor oppressed victim Ayanna be scooping up Nantucket beachfront.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
The arrest of Maduro, while a monumental relief for the long-oppressed and abused Venezuelan populace, was incidental.
—Anthony Dominguez, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Adjective
In 2017, a Radio Free Asia reporter named Shohret Hoshur broke the story that the Chinese government was holding members of the fiercely oppressed Uyghur minority in concentration camps in Xinjiang.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Forget Martha’s Vineyard, poor oppressed victim Ayanna be scooping up Nantucket beachfront.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
The arrest of Maduro, while a monumental relief for the long-oppressed and abused Venezuelan populace, was incidental.
—Anthony Dominguez, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed
Verb
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Goldschmidt wasn’t sure about Witt’s power, thinking it might be depressed at Kauffman Stadium.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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As labor supply remains weak, demand is also being depressed by elevated policy uncertainty and past over-hiring, with AI adoption poised to weigh on payrolls too.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These Bruins overwhelmed the Hawkeyes by displaying every necessary strength required to take the final step and finish the job next month in Phoenix.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Just don’t get overwhelmed by any powerful emotions!—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Each of the founders has been troubled with different sets of problems with their respective skin care expectations.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Esdaile said he was troubled by the two incidents that involved a mental health crisis.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The community was blindsided and devastated by her sudden death.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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Outreach workers and public health officials say the highly addictive synthetic opioid has devastated many people living on the streets nearby.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Experts see positive trends Despite California’s long and tortured history with auto insurance, rates in the state remain below the national average.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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One of them was a person whose eight-month-old baby was tortured in front of his eyes.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To win, Bhatia overcame swirling emotions to summon the best golf of his young career to apply pressure on Berger, who finally cracked down the stretch and opened the door.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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Aaron Gordon overcame his first obstacle by getting back on the court.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More pollution means more asthma attacks, heart disease, and premature deaths, especially in communities already burdened by poor air quality.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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Whatever its advantages as a place to get free babysitting, Michigan is also a good place to position oneself for a presidential run, if your résumé is otherwise burdened with places like Harvard and Oxford.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The regime had already crushed the movement in January, detaining and killing thousands.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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With Puerto Rico also 2-0 and looking to maintain momentum after Darell Hernaiz crushed a 10th-inning, walk-off homer against Panama on Saturday, Rodríguez is set to live out a childhood dream in his own backyard.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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