regressive

1 of 2

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

regressivity

2 of 2

noun

re·​gres·​siv·​i·​ty ˌrēˌgreˈsivətē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being regressive : tendency toward regression

Examples of regressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The answer to a regressive design is a fair design. — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Gone, then, was the deeply regressive spirit of the literacy test. — Robert Polner, New York Daily News, 13 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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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