downtrod

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English

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Etymology 1

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Back-formation from downtrodden; see downtread.

Verb

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downtrod (third-person singular simple present downtrods, present participle downtrodding, simple past downtrod, past participle downtrodden)

  1. (US) to oppress, suppress, exploit, persecute, step down on; put down; denigrate, subjugate
    Synonym: downtread
    • 1935, The Cotton Oil Press, Vol.19[1], Digitized edition, published 2009, page 36:
      And I don't know of any manufacturer or any industry that wants to downtrod the farmer.
    • 1967, The AOPA pilot: Volume 10, Part 1[2] (Aeronautics), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, page 64:
      I've heard wicked rumors that FAA and wives try to downtrod small aircraft pilots.
    • 2009 July 11, JF, comment, “Top House Republican slams Obama over stimulus, jobs”, in CNN[3], archived from the original on 17 February 2012:
      And having an entire group of people constantly waiting in the wings to downtrod even the slightest POSITIVE moves does not help matters.

Etymology 2

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From down- +‎ trod.[1]

Adjective

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downtrod (comparative more downtrod, superlative most downtrod)

  1. (archaic or poetic) downtrodden; abused by superior power

References

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  1. ^ downtrod, adj.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.