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
The proposal for new investment accounts didn’t change the bill’s highly regressive nature.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
As the world’s largest economy turns inward and adopts beggar-thy-neighbor policies, other countries would respond in kind, adopting regressive protectionist policies, as happened during the Great Depression.
—Emily Kilcrease, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
Once the Doctor clocks in for work at UNIT (now the Unified National Insurance Team), the signs really start to become clear that this is the type of regressive world that Conrad would dream up.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 May 2025
The image, posted to her Instagram Wednesday, shows the singer being dragged across the floor by her hair—a choice some say promotes regressive gender stereotypes.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for regressive
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John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
As the world’s largest economy turns inward and adopts beggar-thy-neighbor policies, other countries would respond in kind, adopting regressive protectionist policies, as happened during the Great Depression.
—Emily Kilcrease, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
Once the Doctor clocks in for work at UNIT (now the Unified National Insurance Team), the signs really start to become clear that this is the type of regressive world that Conrad would dream up.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 May 2025
The image, posted to her Instagram Wednesday, shows the singer being dragged across the floor by her hair—a choice some say promotes regressive gender stereotypes.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for regressive
Cite this Entry
“Regressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regressive. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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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