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

Their very regressive nature means that those least able to afford it are disproportionately contributing to the bottom line. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Right now, the voices speaking most clearly to the desire for at-home care are pronatalist and regressive, favoring traditional gender hierarchies to grow the population at all costs. — Moira O’Neil, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

Madripoor still looks like a cheap knockoff of Blade Runner’s regressive, cringey Orientalist-fantasy future. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

Unlike the income tax, though, the property tax is regressive, meaning its rate is not adjusted to reflect a payer’s earnings or wealth. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

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