regressive

adjective

re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgre-siv How to pronounce regressive (audio)
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 noun

Examples of regressive in a Sentence

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.
Gas taxes are often regressive, disproportionately affecting lower-income drivers. Tirzah Duren, Boston Herald, 8 July 2025 Taxing sales would be regressive, putting the burden of transit recovery squarely on the backs of the people who could least afford it. Liz Ames, Mercury News, 8 July 2025 On the Fourth of July, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress, a massive piece of budget legislation that will not only add to the federal deficit, but, according to projections, is actually regressive. Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 7 July 2025 The tax provisions of the budget bill being debated on the Senate floor would be even more regressive than the version drafted by the Senate Finance Committee, according to a new Tax Policy Center analysis. Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for regressive

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of regressive was in 1634

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

regressive

adjective
re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgres-iv How to pronounce regressive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or tending toward regression
2
: gradually decreasing
a regressive tax

Medical Definition

regressive

adjective
re·​gres·​sive ri-ˈgres-iv How to pronounce regressive (audio)
: relating to, resulting from, producing, or characterized by regression
regressive behavior
regressive tissue changes

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