oppressive

adjective

op·​pres·​sive ə-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce oppressive (audio)
1
: unreasonably burdensome or severe
oppressive legislation
oppressive taxes
the oppressive power of corporations and Wall StreetJim 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 uneventfulnessGeoffrey Moorhouse
oppressively adverb
oppressiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for oppressive

onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing hardship.

onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public. Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 8 July 2025 Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement. Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025 The right to a fair, speedy trial before a jury of our peers is one of the vital rights of democracy that helps separate us from oppressive dictatorships worldwide. Mike Vogel, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 Giving even more power to this is how hip-hop was once the strongest expressive force for exposing White America’s oppressive structures. Julian Randall, Essence, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for oppressive

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French oppressif, borrowed from Medieval Latin oppressīvus, from Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower" + -īvus -ive — more at oppress

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppressive was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppressive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

oppressive

adjective
op·​pres·​sive ə-ˈpres-iv How to pronounce oppressive (audio)
1
: cruel or harsh without just cause
oppressive taxes
2
: causing a feeling of oppression
oppressive heat
oppressively adverb
oppressiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on oppressive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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