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

Leaders who know something is wrong but have absorbed the lesson that naming it marks them as regressive. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Critics called them agents of a regressive right-wing agenda. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

And let alone regressive — how about boring? —Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026

Low earners also spend a greater share of their income on sales taxes at the state and local level relative to higher earners, contributing to a more regressive tax system, Vela wrote. —Sarah Agostino,greg Iacurci,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 20 May 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