Synonyms of oppressive

oppressive

adjective

ə-ˈpre-siv 

as in harsh

difficult to endure

an oppressive regime that rules through terror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harsh
• brutal
• tough
• searing
• severe
• cruel
• hard
• rough
• burdensome
• onerous
• inhuman
• grim
• heavy
• murderous
• trying
• painful
• bleak
• bitter
• rugged
• excruciating
• grievous
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• unbearable
• unpleasant
• inhospitable
• strict
• forbidding
• austere
• overwhelming
• discomforting
• hardhanded
• bad
• rigorous
• stringent
• intolerable
• spartan
• inclement
• comfortless
• crushing
• intemperate
• hostile
• agonizing
• insufferable
• wretched
• insupportable
• biting
• unendurable
• tortuous
• unfriendly
• disagreeable
• wild
• heartbreaking
• harrowing
• grinding
• wearing
• heartrending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• easy
• soft
• comfortable
• luxurious
• pleasant
• friendly
• agreeable
• cozy
• peaceful
• hospitable
• genial
• relaxing
• tolerable
• restful
• mild
• moderate
• bearable
• gentle
• snug
• calm
• painless
• temperate
• balmy
• endurable
• reposeful
• clement

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

Examples of oppressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then scientists hit their subjects with extreme humidity, shooting from a dry 20% to an oppressive 85%. —Laura Paddison, CNN, 29 July 2024

Because of the oppressive midday heat, classes were held in the morning and in the late afternoon. —Jess McHugh, Washington Post, 25 July 2024

The organization said Monday that extreme temperatures and oppressive heat waves impacted almost 100 blood drives last month, in almost every state where the Red Cross collects blood. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 6 Aug. 2024

It was dismantled by oppressive Serbian forces as the war took hold, but young Kosovars continued to look to clubbing as an avenue for escape—from grief, from trauma, from boredom—in the aftermath. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024