downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträ-dᵊn How to pronounce downtrodden (audio)
Synonyms of downtroddennext
: suffering oppression

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
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.
Wonder if there's a former Alabama defensive coach looking to be a coordinator for a downtrodden NFC East franchise. Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026 In a film full of sadly downtrodden Black women characters, Shug stands out thanks to Avery's spirited portrayal of the sultry blues singer. Diedre Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025 But, the token rebounded early Tuesday and has continued to trade above the $90,000 level through the week, offering a glimmer of hope to downtrodden crypto investors. Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025 Tapping the engineer behind Johnny Cash renditions of Soundgarden and Glenn Danzig tunes casts Childers’s stories of downtrodden Americans in a new light. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downtrodden

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downtrodden was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“Downtrodden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtrodden. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

downtrodden

adjective
down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträd-ᵊn How to pronounce downtrodden (audio)
: crushed by superior power

More from Merriam-Webster on downtrodden

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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