regressive

adjective

re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgre-siv 

1

: tending to regress or produce regression

2

: being, characterized by, or developing in the course of an evolutionary process involving increasing simplification of bodily structure

3

: decreasing in rate as the base increases

a regressive tax

regressively adverb

regressiveness noun

regressivity

ˌrē-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Examples of regressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The image, posted to her Instagram Wednesday, shows the singer being dragged across the floor by her hair—a choice some say promotes regressive gender stereotypes. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

But the plan faces a late-hour challenge from labor unions and environmental groups, who want businesses to foot the bill instead of a regressive tax shared by consumers. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 4 June 2025

High fuel prices are a regressive tax that hit poor and rural Californians the hardest. —Ted Gaines, Oc Register, 28 May 2025

In other words, tariffs are a regressive tax—the polar opposite of FDR’s postwar economy. — Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for regressive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive

Kids Definition

regressive

adjective

re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgres-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or tending toward regression

2

: gradually decreasing

a regressive tax

Medical Definition

regressive

adjective

re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgres-iv 

: relating to, resulting from, producing, or characterized by regression

regressive behavior

regressive tissue changes