as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the dictatorship had scarcely been overthrown when the formerly oppressed suddenly abandoned their democratic ideals and became the oppressors
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Recent Examples of oppressor
That would overlook how quickly Israel’s allies can turn into tomorrow’s religious oppressors.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The message of the film seems to be about forgiveness, and about finding empathy even for your oppressor.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Because Jews are often seen as white, wealthy and well connected, they can get placed on the oppressor side of that line.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The first phase of US occupation was launched in the belief that the Iraqi people would rise up and reject their oppressors.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The message of the film seems to be about forgiveness, and about finding empathy even for your oppressor.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
While providing the soundtrack for an 1832 Paris street revolt, its message and spirit are adaptable to any time spines could use some steel when facing down an oppressor.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Dishwatery types become heroes; victims become oppressors.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressor
Noun
-
Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Colletti joins One Piece as Wapol, a tyrant and adversary to the Straw Hats.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The delegation — the first since Russian dictator Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea in March 2014 — was headed, symbolically, by Vyacheslav Nikonov, a lawmaker from Putin’s United Russia party and the grandson of Joseph Stalin’s Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov.—
Vladimir Kara-Murza,
Washington Post,
3 Apr. 2026
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More like a memo from the dictator, telling gullible loyalists what to think.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressor. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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