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.
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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
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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
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Her husband said in a statement the family is overwhelmed by community support as the search intensifies.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Ultimately, the Gophers — making their first NCAA tournament since 2018, and first Sweet 16 since 2005 — were overwhelmed by their Big Ten rival’s size and experience.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even some pro-nuclear groups are troubled by the emerging order.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
-
After Daniil Medvedev’s comprehensive and belatedly controversial win over Jack Draper in their quarterfinal, Carlos Alcaraz came out to face Cameron Norrie, one of the few players outside of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic who has troubled him the past few years.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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President Harry Truman signed the Marshall Plan on April 3, 1948, a American initiative to help nations devastated by World World II rebuild.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Look, if this had happened in my third season playing this character, I’d be devastated.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Aquarion sale has had a long and tortured regulatory history, having been first proposed during a bitter, years-long standoff between the utility industry and former PURA Chairman Marissa Gillett.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
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But Saleh has carved out a unique place for himself as an avatar for restrained, tortured, and resilient Arab male dignity.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly's snap shot from the high slot that beat Anaheim goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Anaheim goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The price hike has also burdened ordinary citizens.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
About one-third of Oklahoma renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another ball India crushed later in the game would have been out of several.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Duke was absolutely crushed for the second straight year.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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