downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträ-dᵊn How to pronounce downtrodden (audio)
Synonyms of downtroddennext
: suffering oppression

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of downtrodden in a Sentence

They were poor and downtrodden. a war that was supposed to liberate the downtrodden citizens of that nation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Following a downtrodden young woman, her wicked stepmother and spoiled stepsisters, and the Prince Charming who changes her life, Cinderella has seen many cinematic adaptations over the years. — EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025 Although spring training is the time for even the most downtrodden of teams to speak optimistically, the way that the Angels talk about Fasano goes beyond the normal cliches. — Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2025 This was a battle over who gets to claim the mantle of the Kennedys, who for so long were the first family of Democratic politics, with their talk about government service and helping the poor and downtrodden. — Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025 At the time, Ms. Merkel praised the German public for embracing downtrodden migrants, even those who did not qualify for official refugee status. — Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downtrodden

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downtrodden was in 1597

Phrases Containing downtrodden

Rhymes for downtrodden

See All Rhymes for downtrodden

Browse Nearby Words

downtrod
downtrodden
downturn
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downtrodden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtrodden. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

downtrodden

adjective
down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträd-ᵊn How to pronounce downtrodden (audio)
: crushed by superior power

More from Merriam-Webster on downtrodden

Nglish: Translation of downtrodden for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All