Definition of oppressivenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oppressive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oppressive are burdensome, exacting, and onerous. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

When can burdensome be used instead of oppressive?

In some situations, the words burdensome and oppressive are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

When would exacting be a good substitute for oppressive?

While the synonyms exacting and oppressive are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to oppressive?

The words onerous and oppressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oppressive But, just like the oppressive smoke, other things hang in the air. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 The oppressive system is anti-Zionism itself. Adam Louis-Klein, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 After the Boston Tea Party, the British government cracked down on the colonies with a series of oppressive laws known as the Intolerable Acts. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026 Outside the stadium, protesters clashed over Iran’s oppressive regime and its place in the tournament as players vowed to rise above politics and unite Iranians through soccer. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
  • Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
  • Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The New York Mets are in disarray thanks to a brutal start to what was supposed to be a promising season.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • In 1972, a year after a brutal conflict—one in which India helped with the rebirth of the eastern wing of Pakistan as Bangladesh—New Delhi and Islamabad concluded an agreement that resumed limited trade.
    Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
    María Diez, Vogue, 26 June 2026
  • These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • That has given players an opportunity to rest and recover ahead of the next fixture, but some of those games have taken place in searing heat, which will have had its effect on players, especially if they are not used to playing in that climate.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • But the street parties also come after months of scrutiny as FIFA has faced searing criticism across the globe for soaring World Cup ticket prices.
    Megan Janetsky, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Shortness of breath that becomes severe.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Europe is the planet’s fastest-warming continent and these kinds of extreme heat waves are only expected to become more severe, frequent and prolonged unless humans rapidly phase out fossil fuels, the scientists said.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 26 June 2026
  • This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the days leading up to his show, Chavarria and his team were hard at work in his make-shift studio in the 6th arrondissement.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • Closing a chapter, not the relationships For Sevy, the hardest part is closing this chapter with the people who made the place feel like home.
    Erin Jones, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • After a couple of rough shooting nights against Minnesota and Las Vegas, the Valkyries found their groove.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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