as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the dictatorship had scarcely been overthrown when the formerly oppressed suddenly abandoned their democratic ideals and became the oppressors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 oppressor
During the confrontation, Hussein and his followers were massacred, but the imam’s quest for justice became a defining value of Shiite identity, fostering a sense of revolutionary duty to fight oppressors at any cost.
—
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
That would overlook how quickly Israel’s allies can turn into tomorrow’s religious oppressors.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
That would overlook how quickly Israel’s allies can turn into tomorrow’s religious oppressors.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressor
Noun
-
In the propaganda video, the narrator mentions the core Shiite religious figures Ali and Hussein, the first and third Shiite Imams, respectively, as well as the Battle of Karbala, a seventh-century uprising by Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, against a tyrant named Yazid.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And, as in the days of the Turkmen dictator, everyone fell into line.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington’s economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressor. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
