downtrodden
- adjective
- /ˈdaʊnˌtrɒd.ən/
- The charity aims to improve living conditions for downtrodden families in the city.
- the downtrodden
- exploit the downtrodden
- downtrodden woman
That's where most downtrodden people are.
- That's where most downtrodden people are.
- And the people, the German people, felt very downtrodden by the Treaty of Treaty of the World War One.
- This has been tried before, though not necessarily bums, but just saying like they're downtrodden, they're going to rise up if I let John Brown did that.
- I sound like a really weird, that like downtrodden homeless person because I go.
Examples
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In fact, the poorest and the most downtrodden are too powerless to fight.
Academic text (2005) -
We must all speak out when the downtrodden are treated as dispensable by some.
Blog text (22) -
- Come closer, everyone, listen to the story of downtrodden women.
-
"And wherever I go," he thinks, "this music box must follow, and with it, this poor downtrodden man."
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The Democratic Party has long been the champion of the downtrodden and folks in need.
Blog text (18) -
I mean, she's a champion of the downtrodden.
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My only aim in life is to help the misbegotten, the downtrodden... ...and the members of my parish.
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From heroic adventurers to downtrodden pawns, the image of migrants changed radically over the past half century.
Academic text (1994) -
Sadr himself remains a popular figure among Iraq's downtrodden Shiite communities, if only because of his family ties and perceived nationalism.
Academic text (2008) -
Hyltoft portrays downtrodden, occasionally neglected human beings with all their disappointments and stunted feelings, illusions, and delusions.
Fiction book (1999)
Synonyms
People who do not have enough money, support, or chances to do well
People who have less money, chances, or help than others
Not able to make decisions or influence things
Not having the same advantages or access to services as other people
Treated unfairly and made to suffer by other people
People who lack the right to vote and have little power in society
Feeling very sad and weighed down by strong stress or pressure
Antonyms
How Oppressed
Surface Forms
Morphology
downtrodden = downtrod (semi-transparent) = down + trod + en
The verb 'downtrod' is a clear combination of 'down' + past of 'tread', but the adjectival meaning 'oppressed' is a figurative extension rather than a strictly literal composition.
Etymology
Downtrodden comes from down and the verb tread, which means 'to step on', giving the picture of people being pressed down by others. That's why downtrodden means people who are 'oppressed' or treated badly.