: burdened by abuse of power or authority
Group identity in oppressed groups is always very strategic, always a calculation of advantage.—
Shelby Steele
Shelby SteeleThey are neither oppressed minorities, whose needs have been etched into the nation's consciousness, nor members of the ruling elite, born with their hands on the reins of power.—Anthony DeCurtis
Anthony DeCurtis
Examples of oppressed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For many women, particularly those from oppressed and marginalized backgrounds, speaking up and reporting abuse presents considerable challenges.
—Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Throughout his 40-year career, this award-winning artist has transformed the history of oppressed and stereotyped segments of the American experience into lyrical two-dimensional master works.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023
Out of a desire to help oppressed groups, that is, grew an ideology that ultimately reifies identity and rejects the possibility of cross-group solidarity.
—Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
In each fictional universe, an oppressed group stages a revolution that fights for political and economic freedom.
—Michael Allen, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2023
Recommended Perseverance For this Ukrainian veteran, why Russians fight is still a puzzle
Lessons from the Dalits
Dr. Ambedkar was a leader in India’s independence movement in the 1930s as well as a member of the country’s oppressed Dalit group.
—Marc Loustau, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2023
However, women remain deeply oppressed under the Taliban, having been mostly banned from public life, workplaces, and school beyond the sixth grade.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 25 June 2023
One of whom is Gallatin, an elf and warrior who creates more plot-handy conflict by clashing with the elven queen Francesca over the right way to find liberation for their oppressed people.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 4 July 2023
The premise quickly expands to a recognizable metaphor of prejudice, with fire people—talking pillars of flame that struggle not to set things on fire—functioning as an oppressed underclass who strive to fit in with the other elements.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 June 2023
See More
Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Throughout his 40-year career, this award-winning artist has transformed the history of oppressed and stereotyped segments of the American experience into lyrical two-dimensional master works.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023
Out of a desire to help oppressed groups, that is, grew an ideology that ultimately reifies identity and rejects the possibility of cross-group solidarity.
—Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
In each fictional universe, an oppressed group stages a revolution that fights for political and economic freedom.
—Michael Allen, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2023
Recommended Perseverance For this Ukrainian veteran, why Russians fight is still a puzzle
Lessons from the Dalits
Dr. Ambedkar was a leader in India’s independence movement in the 1930s as well as a member of the country’s oppressed Dalit group.
—Marc Loustau, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2023
However, women remain deeply oppressed under the Taliban, having been mostly banned from public life, workplaces, and school beyond the sixth grade.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 25 June 2023
One of whom is Gallatin, an elf and warrior who creates more plot-handy conflict by clashing with the elven queen Francesca over the right way to find liberation for their oppressed people.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 4 July 2023
The premise quickly expands to a recognizable metaphor of prejudice, with fire people—talking pillars of flame that struggle not to set things on fire—functioning as an oppressed underclass who strive to fit in with the other elements.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oppressed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1608, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing oppressed
Dictionary Entries Near oppressed
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppressed. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on oppressed
Nglish: Translation of oppressed for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of oppressed for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share