Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

oppressive

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of oppressive

difficult to endure
  • an oppressive regime that rules through terror
Synonyms of oppressive

bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, hardhanded, harsh, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying
Words Related to oppressive

austere, bleak, comfortless, discomforting, forbidding, inhospitable, spartan, uncomfortable

biting, inclement, intemperate, wild

rigorous, strict, stringent

agonizing, heartbreaking, heartrending, painful, wretched

crushing, grinding, overwhelming, wearing

insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable

harrowing, tortuous

bad, disagreeable, hostile, unfriendly, unpleasant
Near Antonyms of oppressive

comfortable, cozy, luxurious, snug

agreeable, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant

peaceful, relaxing, reposeful, restful

bearable, endurable, painless, tolerable

balmy, calm, clement, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate
Antonyms of oppressive

easy, light, soft

Synonym Discussion of oppressive

onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing hardship. onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.
    • the onerous task of cleaning up the mess
burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.
    • burdensome responsibilities
oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.
    • the oppressive tyranny of a police state
exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.
    • an exacting employer

Learn More about oppressive

  1. See words that rhyme with oppressive Dictionary: Definition of oppressive Spanish Central: Translation of oppressive Nglish: Translation of oppressive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oppressive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up oppressive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

Listen to the pronounciation of auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gerrymander, gerrymandering Supreme Court oks extreme redistricting

  2. concentration camp Debate over detentions drives searches

  3. animus AOC discusses impeachment

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games