1 oppressive | Definition of oppressive
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

oppressive

adjective
op·​pres·​sive | \ É™-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce oppressive (audio) \

Definition of oppressive

1 : unreasonably burdensome or severe oppressive legislation oppressive taxes the oppressive power of corporations and Wall Street— Jim Hightower
2 : tyrannical an oppressive government
3 : overwhelming or depressing to the spirit or senses an oppressive climate the dusty drabness that was oppressive in its uneventfulness— Geoffrey Moorhouse
Other Words from oppressive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about oppressive

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from oppressive

oppressively adverb
oppressiveness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for oppressive

onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing hardship. onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. the onerous task of cleaning up the mess burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. burdensome responsibilities oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. the oppressive tyranny of a police state exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. an exacting employer

Examples of oppressive in a Sentence

The country is ruled by an oppressive regime. I think these laws are oppressive. This region suffers from oppressive heat in the summer months. The situation was extremely tense; no one said a word, and the silence was oppressive.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 But for now, inside their sparse, oppressive shelter, Khurshida Begum and her family can only smile. — Leif Coorlim And Thomas Page, CNN, "Stolen son: The child traffickers preying on the Rohingya," 31 Aug. 2019 When a heat wave sets records seemingly every month, and when the humidity rises along with the temperature, making the ambient air feel like an oppressive sweater? — Wired, "The Best Running Gear for the Dog Days of Summer," 28 Aug. 2019 After a brief respite from the humidity on Tuesday when the dew point dropped into the 50s for a time, the humidity will once again be oppressive on Wednesday. — courant.com, "The humidity will once again be oppressive," 21 Aug. 2019 Following lunch, Arenado takes the field under an oppressive sun. — Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, "Nolan Arenado's Low-Key Persona Fuels His Stardom," 9 Aug. 2019 The heat and humidity are not expected to reach the oppressive levels of the previous weekend, said Marcia Cronce, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Sullivan. — Joe Taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Weekend looks to be warm and mostly sunny to start out with thunderstorms possible by Sunday," 25 July 2019 These men detailed the oppressive regime back home; the lack of food, cars, stores, jobs, choices. — Greg Bishop, SI.com, "Immigrant Song," 30 July 2019 The riot was a call for the establishment of a republic in France in the face of an oppressive regime and food shortages that spurred on the revolution. — Editors, USA TODAY, "Tropical Storm Barry, Wimbledon Finals, ICE immigration raids: 5 things to know this weekend," 13 July 2019 This message speaks to men and women seeking freedom from oppressive governments. — Charles Edel, Twin Cities, "Charles Edel: How the Declaration of Independence became a beacon to the world," 7 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oppressive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of oppressive

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for oppressive

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French oppressif, borrowed from Medieval Latin oppressīvus, from Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower" + -īvus -ive — more at oppress

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for oppressive

oppressive

adjective
How to pronounce oppressive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of oppressive

: very cruel or unfair
: very unpleasant or uncomfortable

See the full definition for oppressive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

oppressive

adjective
op·​pres·​sive | \ É™-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce oppressive (audio) \

Kids Definition of oppressive

1 : cruel or harsh without just cause oppressive laws
2 : very unpleasant or uncomfortable oppressive heat

Other Words from oppressive

oppressively adverb

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on oppressive

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with oppressive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oppressive

Spanish Central: Translation of oppressive

Nglish: Translation of oppressive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of oppressive for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!