oppressor

[uh-pres-er]

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oppressor¹

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

Example Sentences

It doesn’t see the world as a battle between oppressors and the oppressed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the district also acknowledged that some of the materials created by outside groups violated the district’s policy on teaching controversial subjects and cast Palestinians as victims and Israelis as oppressors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime," wrote Afghan international cricketer Fazalhaq Farooqi on Facebook.

Read more on Barron's

He is the avatar of the oppressor who wants to believe he’s the victim.

Read more on Salon

It’s an artistic choice that also blurs boundaries between oppressed and oppressors, revealing the complicity of the American Dream.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• autocrat 
• despot