Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oppressive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oppressive are burdensome, exacting, and onerous. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

When can burdensome be used instead of oppressive?

In some situations, the words burdensome and oppressive are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

When would exacting be a good substitute for oppressive?

While the synonyms exacting and oppressive are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to oppressive?

The words onerous and oppressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Examples of oppressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His foundation has spent $64 million on the two prior elections and $40 million this time in an attempt to impose even more oppressive rent control. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024 The counterargument is that even if the penalty provision is unfair or oppressive, and even if it was made at an especially exploitative moment, the Pac-12 still agreed to it. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2024 In recent years there has been a large influx of Venezuelans fleeing that country’s oppressive socialist dictator. Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024 Like The Velvet Rope or A Seat at the Table before it, Raven reminds us that destroying our expectations, which are so often shaped by oppressive systems, is essential for creative restoration. Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oppressive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oppressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near oppressive

Cite this Entry

“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on oppressive

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