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."
"The film tells the story of an oppressed people who finally won their freedom."
"She dedicated her life to defending oppressed workers who had no voice."
How to use oppressed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing unfairly controlled or mistreated by those in power.
Common pairings
oppressed people
oppressed minority
the oppressed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more oppressed
- Superlative
- most oppressed
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The novel gives voice to an _____ community fighting for recognition.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for oppressed
blessed
dressed
pressed
assessed
stressed
obsessed
recessed
depressed
professed
repressed
possessed
impressed
See all rhymes for oppressed →
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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