Word
downtrodden
Phoneticsdown·trod·den, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌdaʊnˈtɹɑdən/
UK/dˈaʊntɹɒdən/
Definition
adj. treated badly by people with power and kept from a fair life. You use it for groups who are poor or have few rights.
adj. oppressed or kept down by people in power, denied fair treatment or basic rights. Often describes poor or socially disadvantaged groups.
Examples
“She helps downtrodden families find safe housing.”
“The charity provides free meals and legal help to downtrodden workers in the city.”
“The novel gives voice to the downtrodden mill workers whose labor built the town's wealth but who never shared in its comfort.”
Examples
simple
“She helps downtrodden families find safe housing.”
contextual
“The charity provides free meals and legal help to downtrodden workers in the city.”
complex
“The novel gives voice to the downtrodden mill workers whose labor built the town's wealth but who never shared in its comfort.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “downtrodden” in context.
Verb
01. champion downtrodden
“She built her career championing the downtrodden and demanding social reform.”
verb + adj
02. defend downtrodden
“Lawyers volunteered to defend the downtrodden against unfair evictions.”
verb + adj
03. empower downtrodden
“Microloans are designed to empower the downtrodden and promote independence.”
verb + adj
04. feel downtrodden
“Without representation, many citizens feel downtrodden and ignored.”
verb + adj
05. fight for downtrodden
“The union vowed to fight for the downtrodden and protect their rights.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
06. economically downtrodden
“Economically downtrodden districts often lack access to quality schools and healthcare.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. downtrodden community
“The centre provides free meals for the downtrodden community.”
adj + noun
08. downtrodden masses
“The revolution promised freedom to the downtrodden masses.”
adj + noun
09. downtrodden minority
“The law was meant to protect every downtrodden minority.”
adj + noun
10. downtrodden worker
“The novel gives a voice to the downtrodden worker in industrial towns.”
adj + noun
11. champion the downtrodden
“He spent his life championing the downtrodden and fighting injustice.”
12. empower the downtrodden
“The project aims to empower the downtrodden through skills training.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun for a group; also used predicatively after 'be' or 'feel'.
Etymology
From Middle English *dountroden, past participle of Middle English dountreden (“to tread down, trample”), equivalent to down- + trodden.
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/downtrodden