adj

downtrodden

DOWN-tro-duhn

Downtrodden (adj) means treated unfairly and kept powerless by those in charge; oppressed. Example: “The charity works to give a voice to the downtrodden.”

adj

Treated unfairly and kept powerless by those in charge; oppressed.

"The charity works to give a voice to the downtrodden."

"History remembers the leaders who stood up for the downtrodden masses."

How to Use Downtrodden

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPushed down and mistreated by people in power, over and over.

Common pairings

the downtrodden downtrodden masses poor and downtrodden

Word Forms

more downtrodden comparative, most downtrodden superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “downtrodden” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The charity works to give a voice to the _____.

Etymology

From Middle English dountreden, "to tread down" — literally trampled underfoot.

Origin: Middle English

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “downtrodden” mean?

The word “downtrodden” means treated unfairly and kept powerless by those in charge; oppressed. In plain terms, pushed down and mistreated by people in power, over and over.

How do you pronounce “downtrodden”?

“Downtrodden” is pronounced DOWN-tro-duhn (/ˈdaʊnˌtɹɑdən/ in IPA).

How do you use “downtrodden” in a sentence?

Here is “downtrodden” used in a sentence: “The charity works to give a voice to the downtrodden.”

What part of speech is “downtrodden”?

“Downtrodden” is an adjective.

Where does the word “downtrodden” come from?

The word “downtrodden” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dountreden, "to tread down" — literally trampled underfoot.