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
oppressively
adverboppressiveness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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.
Recent Examples of oppressive from the Web
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Compressors create a curiously oppressive noise, with both high and low frequencies at very high volume, running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, nearly 52 weeks a year.
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The novel abounds with satirical slights documenting oppressive British behavior.
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After volunteering to take the place of her little sister in the deadly games of the title, Katniss becomes the leader in a war against the oppressive ruling class, earning the trust of the common people in the process.
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His foil, Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick), bursts with a weaponized sense of joy, forcing her subjects into an oppressive regime of glittery glee, replete with Top 40 hits.
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Police have cut way back on pedestrian stops and public-order enforcement in minority neighborhoods, having been told repeatedly that such discretionary activities are racially oppressive.
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Gays and lesbians can be oppressive to bisexuals too: ‘
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We’re sitting in her office, trying to cool down from the oppressive heat.
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Again, the conditions on Friday were oppressive — but that didn’t explain why Monfils appeared debilitated, or indifferent, minutes into the match.
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.
Circa 1677
First Known Use of oppressive
circa 1677
Synonym Discussion of oppressive
OPPRESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners
oppressive
playDefinition of oppressive for English Language Learners
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: very cruel or unfair
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: very unpleasant or uncomfortable
OPPRESSIVE Defined for Kids
oppressive
playDefinition of oppressive for Students
1 : cruel or harsh without just cause oppressive laws
2 : very unpleasant or uncomfortable oppressive heat
oppressively
adverbLearn More about oppressive
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See 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
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