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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishPushed down and mistreated by people in power, over and over.
Common pairings
the downtrodden
downtrodden masses
poor and downtrodden
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more downtrodden
- Superlative
- most downtrodden
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.
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.
