downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträ-dᵊn 

: suffering oppression

Synonyms of downtrodden

• oppressed
• persecuted

Examples of downtrodden in a Sentence

They were poor and downtrodden.

a war that was supposed to liberate the downtrodden citizens of that nation

Recent Examples on the Web

The series tracks the pair’s investment in Wrexham AFC, a once-downtrodden team in Wales that has since risen to the verge of a promotion to the Premier League, the highest tier of British pro soccer. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 June 2026

On Wednesday evening, our plucky champion of America’s downtrodden masses, and the Democratic nominee for Senate, was in Chicago for a fundraiser with JB Pritzker. — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2026

My resting face is downtrodden. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Deutch's Gail enlists the help of Otto (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), Caleb (Wang), Vincent (Ken Marino) and John Slattery (playing a hilariously downtrodden version of himself) to track down Hamm in his home turf of Hollywood. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing downtrodden

• the downtrodden

Rhymes for downtrodden

• gliadin
• untrodden
• anticodon
• broaden
• codon
• sodden
• trodden
• woden
• prekindergarten

Kids Definition

downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträd-ᵊn 

: crushed by superior power