oppressive

op·pres·sive

adj \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

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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