oppressive

op·pres·sive

adjective \ə-ˈpre-siv\

Definition of OPPRESSIVE

1

: unreasonably burdensome or severe <oppressive legislation>

2

: tyrannical

3

: overwhelming or depressing to the spirit or senses <an oppressive climate>

— op·pres·sive·ly adverb

— op·pres·sive·ness noun

Examples of OPPRESSIVE

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

First Known Use of OPPRESSIVE

circa 1677

Related to OPPRESSIVE

Synonyms

bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, harsh, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying

Antonyms

easy, light, soft

Related Words

austere, bleak, comfortless, discomforting, forbidding, inhospitable, spartan, uncomfortable; biting, inclement, intemperate, wild; rigorous, strict, stringent; agonizing, heartbreaking, heartrending, painful, wretched; crushing, grinding, overwhelming, wearing; insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable; harrowing, tortuous; bad, disagreeable, hostile, unfriendly, unpleasant

Near Antonyms

comfortable, cozy, luxurious, snug; agreeable, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant; peaceful, relaxing, reposeful, restful; bearable, endurable, painless, tolerable; balmy, calm, clement, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate

See Synonym Discussion at onerous

Rhymes with OPPRESSIVE

aggressive, caressive, compressive, concessive, degressive, depressive, digressive, excessive, expressive, impressive, ingressive, obsessive, possessive, progressive, recessive, regressive, successive, suppressive, transgressive