as in harsh
difficult to endure
an oppressive regime that rules through terror
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Recent Examples of oppressive
Their writing focuses on identity and the intersections of mental health and oppressive systems.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
But, Brook argues, that money must not go on to finance an oppressive, criminal regime, which may be the case if Maduro’s Vice President (and now acting President) Delcy Rodriguez continues in power.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
The way Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, led Venezuela the last 26 years was oppressive, says Arturo Uzcategui, spokesman for the Alliance for Venezuelans in Charlotte.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Between this and your previous documentary, Dear Future Children, there seems to be a desire to tell stories about people living under oppressive regimes.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
But, Brook argues, that money must not go on to finance an oppressive, criminal regime, which may be the case if Maduro’s Vice President (and now acting President) Delcy Rodriguez continues in power.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
The way Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, led Venezuela the last 26 years was oppressive, says Arturo Uzcategui, spokesman for the Alliance for Venezuelans in Charlotte.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Between this and your previous documentary, Dear Future Children, there seems to be a desire to tell stories about people living under oppressive regimes.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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Cisco positions the same rugged networking technology used in Parkie for other harsh environments, including factories, logistics hubs, and outdoor industrial sites.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
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Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Between wading or boating into choppy surf, baking in the hot sun, and getting doused in salty spray, the elements are brutal on the human body and the gear meant to withstand them.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
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Phạm Lockwood also spoke with Huan Nguyen, the sole survivor of a massacre of a South Vietnamese family in Saigon, a brutal attack allegedly orchestrated by Capt.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After a rocky two years, the luxury industry is expected to carry its third-quarter recovery into Q4, despite some tough comparables.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
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That hope ended on July 3, 2025 when Michael, the charismatic tough guy actor known for his memorable roles in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, died of cardiac arrest at 67 years old after a long struggle with alcoholism.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In addition to telling the stories of several veterans, the film also examines how the Greatest Generation’s searing experiences of World War II, the Holocaust and the battle against fascism in Europe shaped American culture from the late 1940s to the present day.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
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Stone’s pass from the left corner of the zone toward the middle of the blue line found Marner, who skated into a vast expanse to deliver a searing wrister from the inner part of the right circle.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Most people who get sick recover within a week, but infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Those who suffer spinal strokes often experience sudden and intense neck or back pain, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The forest had taught him that city dwellers could often be regulated by cruel and rather unpredictable codes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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That Maduro is a cruel dictator is clear; that Trump intends more than just his arrest (such as taking their oil) is equally clear.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Shouldn’t even be that hard to sharpen the blasted thing, let alone twist it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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Jones raved about his consistency, intelligence, hard work and athleticism.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Weather conditions and rough seas can influence whether SpaceX and NASA commit to undock from the ISS and target a specific splashdown site.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
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The financials are having another rough day as big bank investors took profits in Citigroup , Bank of America , and Wells Fargo after earnings, following a similar trend with JPMorgan on Tuesday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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