OPPRESSED Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

oppressed 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprest

Definition of oppressed

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

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oppressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oppress

as in depressed

to make sad this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in overwhelmed

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress a film about a man who is haunted and oppressed by the secrets of his past

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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

At the end, there’s a message in the credits which says that this film is dedicated to those who are oppressed and that your time will come. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 July 2026 The Irish were the original oppressed people from the English Empire, and the original colony. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

Verb

But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed. — William Earl, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Suffering from severe financial inequality and oppressed by the yoke of dictators and oligarchs, the people rise up and storm the seat of government. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppressed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed

Verb

At the same time, Chinese overproduction of critical minerals has depressed prices for key commodities.

— Tom Moerenhout, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026
If there were more imports, cattle prices would be depressed, but the modest uptick has not had an overwhelming impact on the industry.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressed

Verb

The awkward silence overwhelmed everyone until the major stepped in front of Helen.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Their campaigns emerged in the aftermath of Covid-19, when doctors and health officials were celebrated at first, overwhelmed by work and tragedy for years, and in some cases, targeted because of distrust or politics around their messages.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of overwhelmed

Verb

Ira Mehlman with the Federation for American Immigration Reform said he's not troubled by the prospect that many public school districts will have to downsize.

— Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
He’s been troubled to see more reputable venues conferring legitimacy on these commercial MRT operations.

— Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of troubled

Verb

The elder Begay, speaking in Navajo, said she is emotionally devastated.

— Adam Burke, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
By comparison, the prewar sanctions that devastated Iran’s economy, hobbled its military, and discouraged it from seeking nuclear weapons were a bargain.

— S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of devastated

Verb

Two people are facing charges after authorities say an 81-year-old Delaware man was lured to a home in Elkton, Maryland, where he was tortured, assaulted and robbed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Ng, along with his accomplice Leonard Lake, tortured and killed at least a dozen people at their Calaveras County cabin in the 1980s.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of tortured

Verb

Its weight got heavier and that weight overcame the plane’s capabilities.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Cutter Gauthier had his second career hat trick, scoring the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and the Ducks overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Ottawa Senators 6-3 on Sunday night.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of overcame

Verb

Stocks with positive estimate revisions tend to meaningfully outperform those burdened with declining estimates in the short term.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2026
The Pearls aren’t poor, but they’re burdened by expenses and tantalized by comforts just out of reach, especially now that their sons’ heads have been turned by Gary’s flashy success.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of burdened

Verb

Georgia crushed Philo’s confidence, intercepting him twice in three series.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Trump endorsed Hilton, who finished second in the June primary and was predictably crushed Tuesday by California’s governor-elect, Xavier Becerra.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of crushed

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“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of oppressed

adjective

verb

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