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

Dahl had no record of support for other minority, oppressed or marginalized group. — Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026 The newspaper comic strip ran for over 60 years, following characters in an oppressed medieval kingdom. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

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 The American origin story is rooted in the notion that George III was its vanquished villain, an irrational tyrant who oppressed the American colonists. — ABC News, 3 June 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

Definition of depressed

Verb

At least two people have died as catastrophic flooding has stricken Texas Hill Country, a little over a year after rains overwhelmed the same region's Guadalupe River, causing flooding that killed over 130 people.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 July 2026
There was some light criticism, although it was overwhelmed by the praise.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of overwhelmed

Verb

As the second half began, Cape Verde continued to hold off the Argentinians and managed a couple of opportunities on the opposition’s goal, though nothing that overly troubled Emiliano Martínez.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Woolf composed her great modernist novels and her brilliant essays while troubled by suicidal thoughts and the tumult of two world wars.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 1 July 2026

Definition of troubled

Verb

In a separate GoFundMe page, Castillo’s family said they were devastated by his death.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
The new flight comes as American Airlines twice daily direct flights between MIA and Caracas remain suspended following multiple earthquakes on June 24 that devastated Venezuela’s capital.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of devastated

Verb

Walker was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered after attending a Valentine’s Day dance with her boyfriend.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
The actual abduction was committed, according to the feds, by supermarket owner Abu Chowdhury — who’s accused of heading a kidnapping ring that also snatched and tortured two men who crossed his vengeful wife, Iffat Lubna.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

Definition of tortured

Verb

The ship overcame the engine failure and continued flying toward a pinpoint water landing in the Indian Ocean, but SpaceX had to skip an attempt to reignite a Raptor engine in space.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
The Kings nearly overcame a 16-point deficit, but the Celtics held on for an 82-76 victory at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of overcame

Verb

Of course, Branch crushed it, nearly recording her vocals in one take.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Jakarta, Indonesia — A pickup truck carrying wedding guests was crushed between two trucks on a busy highway on Indonesia's main island of Java, killing 13 people and injuring five others, police said Monday.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of crushed

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Style

“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressed. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of oppressed

adjective

verb

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