oppressed

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Treated cruelly and unfairly by people with power, so that freedom is limited.

   Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb: oppressed people.

   Patterns

   • oppressed by someone

   The oppressed workers demanded fair pay.

   The oppressed minority was denied the vote.

   They felt oppressed by the new rules.

2. 2adjectivecomparableliterary

   Weighed down by a heavy feeling of worry or sadness.

   Grammar: After a verb: feel oppressed.

   Patterns

   • feel oppressed

   He felt oppressed by the grey skies.

   She grew oppressed by the silence.

   An oppressed mood hung over the house.

3. 3nounplural

   People who are treated cruelly and unfairly by the powerful, as a group.

   Grammar: Used with the: the oppressed.

   Patterns

   • the oppressed

   She spoke for the oppressed.

   The poem gives a voice to the oppressed.

   The law protects the oppressed.

Word forms

Common combinations

oppressed people

Oppressed people deserve justice.

oppressed minority

The oppressed minority fought for rights.

the oppressed

She stood with the oppressed.

feel oppressed

Staff felt oppressed by constant monitoring.

long oppressed

A long oppressed group finally spoke out.

Synonyms and how they differ

persecuted

Stresses being hunted or harmed for beliefs or identity.

downtrodden

Suggests being worn down by long mistreatment.

subjugated

Suggests being brought under another's control by force.

repressed

Often means held back, including one's own feelings.

Opposites

Word family

oppress verb

to treat people harshly and unfairly

oppression noun

cruel and unfair treatment by power

oppressive adjective

harsh, or heavy and uncomfortable

oppressor noun

a person or group that oppresses

Commonly confused: oppressed or repressed?

Practice

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