as in tyrants
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
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Recent Examples of oppressors
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
Much of progressive ideological frameworks tend to divide the world into oppressors and oppressed.
—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
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Repressive policies will eventually create uprising against the oppressors.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
The film focuses on their heated debate, as some wish to fight their oppressors while others argue for a calculated escape.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
This clause had been included to mitigate white citizens’ fears that if armed, Blacks would turn the weapons on their oppressors.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Much of progressive ideological frameworks tend to divide the world into oppressors and oppressed.
—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
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Repressive policies will eventually create uprising against the oppressors.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
The film focuses on their heated debate, as some wish to fight their oppressors while others argue for a calculated escape.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
This clause had been included to mitigate white citizens’ fears that if armed, Blacks would turn the weapons on their oppressors.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressors
Noun
-
Ready to meet the season's new allies, enemies, tyrants, and giants?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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At the time, Athens had just emerged from a period of dictatorship and some of his students had been among the tyrants who sought to take down Athens’ democracy.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Although American forces have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed several Iranian leaders, removing the dictators has not dislodged the dictatorships in either Caracas or Tehran.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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Long before the birth of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic appointed all-powerful dictators to protect their state in times of crisis.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressors. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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