downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträ-dᵊn 

: suffering oppression

Synonyms

• crushed
• oppressed
• persecuted
• tyrannized

Examples of downtrodden in a Sentence

They were poor and downtrodden.

a war that was supposed to liberate the downtrodden citizens of that nation

Recent Examples on the Web

This was a battle over who gets to claim the mantle of the Kennedys, who for so long were the first family of Democratic politics, with their talk about government service and helping the poor and downtrodden. —Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025

At the time, Ms. Merkel praised the German public for embracing downtrodden migrants, even those who did not qualify for official refugee status. —Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025

Despite the latest dose of deflating injury news, after an MRI confirmed a strained left hamstring for recent acquisition Josh Okogie, the Charlotte Hornets coach refused to be downtrodden. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2025

Considered a volatile figure, Sanders turned around a previously downtrodden Colorado program in Boulder. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing downtrodden

• the downtrodden

Rhymes for downtrodden

• gliadin
• untrodden
• anticodon
• broaden
• codon
• sodden
• trodden
• woden
• prekindergarten

Kids Definition

downtrodden

adjective

down·​trod·​den ˈdau̇n-ˈträd-ᵊn 

: crushed by superior power