as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the dictatorship had scarcely been overthrown when the formerly oppressed suddenly abandoned their democratic ideals and became the oppressors
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Recent Examples of oppressor
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The message of the film seems to be about forgiveness, and about finding empathy even for your oppressor.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The message of the film seems to be about forgiveness, and about finding empathy even for your oppressor.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressor
Noun
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Colletti joins One Piece as Wapol, a tyrant and adversary to the Straw Hats.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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At the time, Athens had just emerged from a period of dictatorship and some of his students had been among the tyrants who sought to take down Athens’ democracy.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 1961 assassination of Rafael Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic, is one example.—
Ryan Lucas,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, sectarian violence, terrorist groups and a civil war have ravaged Syria, whose dictator, Bashar al-Assad, fled in 2024 after two plus-decades of repressive rule.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressor. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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