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 Words From

• pre·op·pres·sor noun
• self-op·pres·sor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oppressor¹

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

Example Sentences

I believed that his election would erase racism and force oppressors to see the errors of their ways.

From Salon

Coates insists that he wants to tell the story of the victims — the oppressed Palestinians — not of their Israeli oppressors.

From Los Angeles Times

Nothing new about a Trump family member inventing phantom oppressors to claim victim status.

From Salon

The term emerged as a way of critiquing those who “collaborated with our oppressors”, he said.

From BBC

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

From Salon

Related Words

• autocrat
• despot