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
Relevance
1
as in depressed
to make sad
this gloomy weather is oppressing all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Ethics of risk There are many examples of Christian leaders who have taken on risks out of a religious and moral obligation to provide spiritual care for people in need or advocate for oppressed communities.
—Laura E. Alexander, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Adjective
Alper used his speech to express solidarity with oppressed people everywhere.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Ethics of risk There are many examples of Christian leaders who have taken on risks out of a religious and moral obligation to provide spiritual care for people in need or advocate for oppressed communities.
—Laura E. Alexander, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
She was oppressed by his big shadow.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressed
Verb
-
The machine worked by reading music that was encoded by holes punched into rolls of paper, which in turn directed airflows to levers that depressed piano keys.—
Adam Ozimek,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Democrats who still believe in the New Deal-era promise of government helping the public are a bit depressed by the idea that the solution to their party’s problems is generating less money for that purpose.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
New York's offense overwhelmed the Bulls by outscoring them 40-25 in the second quarter to lead 78-41 at the break.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This year’s Final Four at the women’s NCAA Tournament features a quartet of powerhouse programs, teams that have overwhelmed almost all their opponents with superior talent and veteran coaching.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fertilizer shortage is putting the livelihood of farmers in developing countries — already troubled by rising temperatures and erratic weather systems — further at risk, and could lead to people everywhere paying more for food.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Even some pro-nuclear groups are troubled by the emerging order.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mother of a 7-month-old girl killed by a stray bullet while sitting in her stroller in Brooklyn is devastated by Wednesday's horrific tragedy.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
On May 18, 1980, the north slope of Mount Saint Helens, a volcanic peak in the Cascades Range, was blasted away in an eruption that killed 57 people and devastated an area of approximately 200 square miles.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bundy tortured, raped and killed dozens of young women in more than half a dozen states in the 1970s.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Estimates suggest that as many as 1,900 Jews were abducted, tortured and murdered by the military junta during the six-year Dirty War, when many sources say 30,000 people were disappeared.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Denver overcame 30 points from Toumani Camara, who hit eight of the Blazers' franchise-record 25 3-pointers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Tar Heels reached the national championship game, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, who also overcame a double-digit deficit to be crowned champions.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly two-thirds of Miami-Dade renters are cost-burdened, meaning more than 30% of their monthly income goes toward housing costs, while 36% spend at least half of their paycheck on rent, Census data shows.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Mario himself is played mostly straight by Pratt, subduing the exaggerated Italian accent from the games, while retaining the underdog aspect of a blue collar guy burdened with greater purpose.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The tomato sauce is hand-crushed from a blend of tomatoes, herbs are grown in a garden behind the restaurant, and the cheese is shredded fresh daily.—
Tristan Graziano,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The one eating the pretzels ate her last pretzel, then crushed the little metallic bag in her fist.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
