downtrodden
Americanadjective
-
subjugated; oppressed
-
trodden down; trampled
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of downtrodden
Explanation
Someone who's downtrodden is mistreated by some powerful person or group. An exploited, underpaid worker is downtrodden. The adjective downtrodden is more often used to talk about groups of oppressed people, rather than one specific person. A history textbook might discuss the downtrodden masses rising up in a revolution against their rulers, for example. In the 1560s, downtrodden was first used to literally mean "stepped on," with the figurative meaning following soon after. Trodden, "that which is stepped on," comes from the verb tread.
Vocabulary lists containing downtrodden
Speak
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Murder on the Orient Express
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His group, the Society for the Youth and the Downtrodden, has been fighting the demolitions.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2023
"Corruption is still taking place. Real issues like malnutrition and medicine shortages exist. Downtrodden people cannot face this inflation."
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2023
Downtrodden investors are also reacting to less optimistic projections from the central bank.
From Washington Post • Jun. 16, 2022
Downtrodden people have overcome far worse adversity than we are facing now.
From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2018
Downtrodden Americans gravitated strongly toward the Horatio Alger protagonist, the lowly bred Everyman who rises from anonymity and hopelessness.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
