oppressed
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.treated in a cruel and unfair way, especially by a government or a person with power.
adj.subjected to harsh and authoritarian treatment; burdened by the exercise of unjust power or authority.
Simple“The oppressed citizens finally began to protest against the unfair laws.”
In context“The novel explores the psychological toll on an oppressed population living under a regime that forbids free speech and assembly.”
UsageOften used as a collective noun 'the oppressed' to refer to a group of people.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.the past tense of 'oppress', meaning to have treated a group of people cruelly.
v.past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'oppress', indicating the historical or completed act of subjugation.
Simple“The king oppressed his people for many years before the revolution.”
In context“Throughout the nineteenth century, the colonial administration oppressed the local tribes by seizing their ancestral lands and restricting their movement.”
UsageAs a verb, it requires a direct object representing the person or group being mistreated.