oppressed 1 of 2

Definition of oppressednext
as in persecuted
suffering grave abuse or injustice at the hands of one in authority setting out on a quixotic quest to right wrongs and to raise up the oppressed peoples of the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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oppressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oppress

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of oppressed
Adjective
According to Ehrman, Jesus’s teachings universalized earlier Jewish ethics by extending the duty to care for the poor, oppressed, and needy beyond one’s own community to include all people. Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026 The tiny minority that held this fragile wealth has long needed protection, both from the vast numbers of oppressed people needed to extract it and from the federal government determined to protect them. USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
Gratified right-wingers closely examined the charges and pointed to the prosecution as validation of their belief that conservative Christians across America are being oppressed by violent left-leaning protesters. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 The people are oppressed, have censorship and no hope. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed
Verb
  • Rising costs of components, supply chain constraints, and weaker consumer demand that are all partly linked to the Iran war have depressed smartphone sales in much of the continent, resulting in the slowest growth of shipments to Africa in two years, research firm Omdia said.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
  • Two Democrats at the top would have depressed Republican turnout for other key races — especially for Congress — in the fall.
    Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreak and division, the story confirms that love has a way of continuing on.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
  • Knicks fans nearly overwhelmed it before the floats arrived.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The 2010 and 2014 World Cups were troubled by cost overruns and delays in the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure and the threat of labor unrest while global outrage over human rights violations and discrimination against women and LGBTQ people hung over the last two tournaments.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • The party's nominees for the state's top races issued statements Friday saying they were troubled by the FBI raid.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • In a phone interview with The Times, her sister, Vanessa Marseille, said the family was shocked and devastated over the incident.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Wilson was devastated by losing debates about the design of Congress and the presidency, and in particular by the convention’s refusal to acknowledge the centrality of regular people to the government.
    Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Six men lured victims to resort then tortured them at gunpoint, FBI says.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • And in today's world, with the advent of cyberbullying, thanks to every kid having a digital footprint, a child can be tortured without even seeing their bully face-to-face.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • In a rematch of the WNBA’s first-ever game from June 21, 1997, the Sparks overcame a 17-point Liberty lead, all while celebrating the inaugural matchup — and iconic alumni — that changed women’s sports forever.
    Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
  • Leviatán were arguably considered underdogs in all these matches, but overcame the odds to make the final and set up a rematch against Paper Rex.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • In a city already destabilized by unlawful tax foreclosure, fraudsters found opportunity in homes burdened by vacancy and broken chains of ownership.
    Donovan McCarty, The Conversation, 22 June 2026
  • In Orange County, 61% of renters are cost-burdened, and after years of rents climbing far faster than paychecks, the math no longer works.
    Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Phoenix crushed the Seattle Storm 93-73 in its last game, snapping a four-game losing skid.
    Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone crushed a home run to open the frame, and O’Brien hit catcher Salvador Perez with the very next pitch.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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