as in harsh
difficult to endure
an oppressive regime that rules through terror
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oppressive
The comedian was one of more than 50 performers participating in the event, which has come under fire for being held in a country which has been accused of human rights violations and an oppressive regime.
—
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Aristotle’s Steak & Seafood House Leila, one of the show's central teenage characters, faces intense challenges while trapped inside the oppressive Tall Pines Academy.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
The exodus began in 2021, when anti-government rallies filled the streets, protesting oppressive policies and the lack of medicine and food.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The oppressive regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran has kept her away.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Aristotle’s Steak & Seafood House Leila, one of the show's central teenage characters, faces intense challenges while trapped inside the oppressive Tall Pines Academy.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
The exodus began in 2021, when anti-government rallies filled the streets, protesting oppressive policies and the lack of medicine and food.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The oppressive regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran has kept her away.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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Never use bleach to clean the toilet tank as this harsh chemical can damage the tank's interior and lead to faster corrosion.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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Except, much like the prison scenes, Kiss of the Spider Woman‘s reality ends up being much harsher than the fantasy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is close and this is intimate, this is brutal and this is hard.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
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The countdown to return the 48 hostages held by Hamas for more than two years and the end to the brutal war in Gaza will officially commence Thursday morning after the Israeli security cabinet and government convene to approve the deal signed overnight.—
Caitlin McFall , Yonat Friling,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cooked this way, the chicken will turn out juicy and tender, while the crust of the chicken is crisp from the searing process.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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The searing layer of magma beneath the planet’s crust continuously releases heat through the decay of radioactive elements such as uranium (U) and potassium (K).—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In some cases, the frost is severe enough to end the growing season and is then referred to as a 'killing frost'.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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In September, a New York judge dismissed two murder charges related to acts of terrorism, including the most severe charge, first-degree murder.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This culture is incredibly cruel, and things have gotten really obscene.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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Supporters of the new laws praised the legislation as a major step toward ending cruel breeding practices and protecting consumers.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the beauty of the league — every play matters and every play is hard to execute.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski told that there could be be gusty winds, rough surf, coastal flooding and beach erosion this weekend into Monday—primarily along North Carolina’s Outer Banks northward into southern New England.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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Leo, hired as their lead guitarist, had the right look—rough around the edges, with long dark hair and tanned skin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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