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

As Warren Buffett recently said, these online gambling and predication markets are one of the biggest regressive tax schemes in the country. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

Before asking working families to pay more — especially through a regressive sales tax that hits lower-income residents the hardest — the County must demonstrate real reform, transparency and measurable results. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026

This acts as a regressive, unavoidable tax. —Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Join groups that are moving your city or state forward, in contrast to regressive moves at the federal level. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 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