downtrodden
downtrodden Lexical Profile
downtrodden Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Oppressed or treated badly by people in power; lacking basic rights, hope, or dignity due to harsh social or political conditions.
"The reform movement sought to improve living conditions for the downtrodden workers in the industrial district."
Literally trampled or crushed underfoot.
"A narrow path of downtrodden grass led from the farmhouse down to the riverbank."
• noun
People who are oppressed, marginalized, or treated unjustly by those in authority (usually preceded by 'the' and used with a plural verb).
"Throughout her career as a legal advocate, she championed the rights of the downtrodden."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a noun, 'downtrodden' functions as a nominalized adjective preceded by 'the' and takes a plural verb (e.g., 'the downtrodden are seeking justice').
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century as a compound of the adverb 'down' and 'trodden', the past participle of the Old English verb 'tredan' (to tread or trample underfoot).