Synonyms of oppressed

oppressed 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprest 

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

• persecuted
• downtrodden
• crushed
• tyrannized
• abused
• intimidated
• cowed
• hopeless
• maltreated
• mistreated
• bullied
• browbeaten
• dispirited
• abject
• despairing
• hectored
• downcast
• disheartened

oppressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oppress

1

as in depressed

to make sad

this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depressed
• troubled
• tortured
• burdened
• dejected
• saddened
• worried
• weighed down
• concerned
• afflicted
• got down
• distressed
• bothered
• disturbed
• tormented
• upset
• bummed (out)
• dashed
• discouraged
• unsettled
• ailed
• disheartened
• dismayed
• demoralized
• daunted
• perturbed
• dispirited
• agitated
• disquieted
• discomforted
• unhinged
• exercised
• unnerved
• freaked (out)
• discomposed
• undid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoiced
• brightened
• lightened
• assured
• comforted
• animated
• cheered (up)
• inspired
• enlivened
• buoyed
• stimulated
• excited
• reassured
• invigorated
• soothed
• consoled
• gladdened
• encouraged
• elated
• pleased
• exhilarated
• delighted
• solaced
• lifted
• gratified
• uplifted
• heartened
• elevated
• boosted

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overwhelmed
• devastated
• overcame
• crushed
• overpowered
• disturbed
• swamped
• ground (down)
• prostrated
• overmastered
• drowned
• defeated
• rocked
• upset
• snowed under
• whelmed
• floored
• shattered
• distressed
• deluged
• demoralized
• refuted
• sank
• threw
• staggered
• confuted
• unnerved
• broke
• unmanned

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oppressed

Adjective

Of course, no one denouncing the tyranny of the old should forget how many elderly Americans have counted among the most oppressed, and still do. — Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

Al-Mousawi, of the historically oppressed Shia Muslim faith, was previously detained and had served about 11 years as a political prisoner following arrests across the region in the wake of the Arab Spring, said Alwadaei of BIRD. — Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026

Verb

To Be Whole,' which teaches that the United States was founded on 'white supremacy' and categorizes individuals as 'oppressors' and 'oppressed' based only on their skin color, not their individual decisions and actions. — Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 9 June 2026

If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026