oppressed

adjective

op·​pressed ə-ˈprest How to pronounce oppressed (audio)
: burdened by abuse of power or authority
Group identity in oppressed groups is always very strategic, always a calculation of advantage.Shelby Steele
They are neither oppressed minorities, whose needs have been etched into the nation's consciousness, nor members of the ruling elite, born with their hands on the reins of power.Anthony DeCurtis

Examples of oppressed in a Sentence

setting out on a quixotic quest to right wrongs and to raise up the oppressed peoples of the world
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.
That is to say: There must be an obvious corollary to an actual oppressed population. Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024 In a 1999 film adaptation, for example, Patrick Stewart plays Scrooge with Richard E. Grant as his oppressed employee Bob Cratchit. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2024 Previously, the government had reserved a certain number of jobs for minority and oppressed groups, including disabled people, women, and people from underdeveloped districts. Tithi Bhattacharya / Made By History, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 When hurtful names are removed from roads, some members of oppressed communities describe how the spirit or feeling of places can change and allow healing to begin. Daniel Oto-Peralías, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oppressed 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppressed was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near oppressed

Cite this Entry

“Oppressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppressed. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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