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adjective Uncommon

oppressed

uh-PREHST

Oppressed (adjective) means kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority. Example: “The novel gives voice to an oppressed community fighting for recognition.”

adjective
1
Kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority.
"The novel gives voice to an oppressed community fighting for recognition."

How to Use Oppressed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing unfairly controlled or mistreated by those in power.

Common pairings
oppressed people oppressed minority the oppressed

Word Forms

more oppressed comparative, most oppressed superlative

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The novel gives voice to an _____ community fighting for recognition.

Related Words

Rhymes for oppressed

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “oppressed” mean?

The word “oppressed” means kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority. In plain terms, being unfairly controlled or mistreated by those in power.

How do you pronounce “oppressed”?

“Oppressed” is pronounced uh-PREHST (/əˈpɹɛst/ in IPA).

How do you use “oppressed” in a sentence?

Here is “oppressed” used in a sentence: “The novel gives voice to an oppressed community fighting for recognition.”

What part of speech is “oppressed”?

“Oppressed” is an adjective.

Is “oppressed” a common word?

“Oppressed” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between "oppressed" and "repressed"?

"Oppressed" describes people kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority, usually referring to external, systemic mistreatment. "Repressed" more often describes the suppression of feelings, expression, or rights, and can apply to internal psychological states as well as external control.

Can "oppressed" describe an individual or only a group?

"Oppressed" can describe either an individual or a group; it simply means kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority. It is most often used of groups facing systemic injustice, such as oppressed minorities, but applies equally to a single oppressed person.

What is the opposite of "oppressed"?

The opposite of "oppressed" is "liberated" or "free," describing someone no longer kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful authority. "Privileged" is sometimes used as a contrasting term when discussing power imbalances between groups.

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