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

Just as iconic is the song’s inclusion in the classic 2003 comedy Old School, starring Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn as three downtrodden thirtysomethings who start their own fraternity. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026

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

The Union’s Army of the Potomac, about 90,000 men, was looking downtrodden after the losses. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 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

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