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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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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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.
He fully intended to push through his scheme to sell shares in the World Cup by casting himself, believe it or not, as a defender of the downtrodden and underprivileged.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
"Shia Muslims have historically been the downtrodden of Lebanon," she said.
From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026
In light of the various industry-focused stock-market declines driven by AI adoption, some professional investors have been jumping onto downtrodden stocks.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026
Meghan Andrews’ Beggar Woman and Austyn Myers’ Tobias, giving voice to the downtrodden Dickensian masses, infuse the production with the charm of their singing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026
Even Clarence Darrow, the great defender of the downtrodden, had been charged with trying to bribe prospective jurors.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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.
