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
Examples of regressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lotteries, especially scratch-offs, are popular in low-income and nonwhite communities, and the effect is a regressive tax that Fong worries affects people’s quality of life.
—
Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Starting those adjustments with benefit cuts, especially regressive ones such as increasing the retirement age that hurt lower-income earners more than higher-income earners, is exactly the wrong approach, however.
—Christian Weller, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The regressive financing is typically outweighed by progressive spending programs.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
But districts serving more low-income students spend less per student on average, and almost half the states have regressive funding structures.
—Christine Wen, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024
Vote no on Alameda Measure E Measure E is a regressive, exorbitant tax on some homeowners of an astounding almost $2,000 a year.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
Democrats viewed that approach as regressive, putting a disproportionate burden on low-income residents.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
To those rightfully unsettled by Keith’s thirst for blood, that song — and Toby Keith himself — became a symbol of all that’s wrong with Nashville, an easy shorthand for the most reactionary and regressive tendencies of country music.
—Nadine Smith, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2024
Beshear was critical of the GOP's plan Thursday, calling it regressive and missing key funding components.
—Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 21 Jan. 2024
Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Starting those adjustments with benefit cuts, especially regressive ones such as increasing the retirement age that hurt lower-income earners more than higher-income earners, is exactly the wrong approach, however.
—Christian Weller, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The regressive financing is typically outweighed by progressive spending programs.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
But districts serving more low-income students spend less per student on average, and almost half the states have regressive funding structures.
—Christine Wen, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024
Vote no on Alameda Measure E Measure E is a regressive, exorbitant tax on some homeowners of an astounding almost $2,000 a year.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
Democrats viewed that approach as regressive, putting a disproportionate burden on low-income residents.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
To those rightfully unsettled by Keith’s thirst for blood, that song — and Toby Keith himself — became a symbol of all that’s wrong with Nashville, an easy shorthand for the most reactionary and regressive tendencies of country music.
—Nadine Smith, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2024
Beshear was critical of the GOP's plan Thursday, calling it regressive and missing key funding components.
—Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 21 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'regressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near regressive
Cite this Entry
“Regressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regressive. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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