Synonyms

oppressor

American

[uh-pres-er] / əˈprɛs ər /

noun

a person or group that exercises authority or power over another in a harsh and burdensome way.

Meanwhile the oppressors, blind to the brutal and unjust practices sustaining their dominance, simply increase the level of force against any who resist.

Other Word Forms

preoppressor noun
self-oppressor noun

Etymology

Origin of oppressor

First recorded in 1375–1425; oppress ( def. ) + -or ² ( def. )

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.

In a pan-Indian context, English is an equalizer, not an oppressor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

"I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side. I have no fear because the nation is united. The nation is united against the oppressor," the letter said according to Reuters.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2025

Evidence of enjoyment of life directly rebuts the central proposition of the oppressor – namely, that the oppressed is inferior.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2024

“Daddy was always very proud of his time in the Army, even though he later understood and saw the United States military as an oppressor of our people,” says his daughter, Noemí Sánchez González.

From National Geographic • Nov. 10, 2023

Who ever heard of angry revolutionists swinging their bare feet together with their oppressor in lily-pad park pools, with gospels and guitars and “I Have A Dream” speeches?

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023