regressive

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adjective re·gres·sive \ ri-ˈgre-siv \

Definition of regressive

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

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regressively

adverb

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regressiveness

noun

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regressivity

play \ˌrē-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē\ noun

See regressive defined for kids

Recent Examples of regressive from the Web

These anti-democratic strategies are gaining traction at the national level, where a presidential commission is expected to promote regressive voting laws.

— wendy weiser and daniel weiner, Time, "Democracy In North Carolina Could Disappear. Is Your State Next?," 23 Aug. 2017
NPRI rightly suggests that the practice of forfeiture is regressive in nature and targets the poorest, most racially diverse areas of Clark County, where the individuals lack the knowledge and resources to effectively combat it.

— monique judge, The Root, "Civil Asset Forfeiture Seems to Target Poor Black and Brown People. Why Is That?," 11 Aug. 2017
Both local and national reporters should push back, and take every opportunity to explain to the public why these regressive measures are anti-press freedom.

— richard deitsch, SI.com, "Roundtable: NFL Reporters Discuss League's Future, Players' CTE Concerns and More," 6 Aug. 2017
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Americans are stuck for the next three-plus years with White House leadership that is regressive and dysfunctional.

— glynda carr, Essence.com, "Getting Out Of The ‘Sunken Place’ Of Politics: Black Women Are Key To Future Progressive Wins," 25 July 2017
That fee amounts to a regressive tax on lower-income families.

— geoffrey smith, Fortune, "The BBC Pays Its Top Man 5 Times What It Pays Its Top Woman," 19 July 2017
The call for shutting down a popular, internationally recognised news network for political reasons is a regressive move on many counts.

— monitor editors, The Christian Science Monitor, "Some stunned by Gulf states’ demand for Al Jazeera shut down, Jamaica says no to the Gulf’s ‘bullying’ of Qatar, Why Macron’s stance on Syria is wrong, Why Theresa May’s new coalition could cost her, As war with Islamic State ends, Syria could heat up," 1 July 2017
Its large regressive tax cuts and even larger cuts to low-income health-care subsidies would would rebalance the tax-and-transfer system in a way that’s more fair, from a certain moral perspective.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Defenses of the Senate Health-Care Plan Are Pathetically Dishonest," 26 June 2017
After passing a health-care bill built around a regressive tax cut, Republicans plan to proceed quickly to a second tax cut, which is expected to also benefit the rich disproportionately.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Social Darwinism Is What Truly Guides Trump," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regressive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of regressive

1634

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Medical Dictionary

regressive

play

adjective re·gres·sive \ ri-ˈgres-iv \

medical Definition of regressive

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

regressive behavior

regressive tissue changes

Learn More about regressive

See words that rhyme with regressive Spanish Central: Translation of regressive Nglish: Translation of regressive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of regressive for Arabic speakers

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