as in unemotional
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Recent Examples of repressive
The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad’s security forces.
—
Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Nonetheless, Russia’s repressive apparatus of state now appears to be shifting into high gear.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Vision 2030, as a whole, has let some air into the repressive Saudi state.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
The Miami Film Festival hosted several documentaries about Cuba, including Revolution’s Daughter which focuses on one of Fidel Castro’s 11 children — Alina Fernández Revuelta – who fled Cuba in 1993 after rejecting her father’s repressive rule.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
In this highly repressive environment, politicians should be putting greater distance between themselves and the handling of cultural money.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
If workers organize to push back on lower or unpaid wages, the stage can be set for more repressive measures like union busting.
—Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Although he was known for repressive moves as National Police chief in the early 2000s, Qalibaf later enjoyed a reputation as a technocrat who hobnobbed with the likes of Gavin Newsom at Davos during his long tenure as mayor of Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Several African nations have signed such deals with the administration, raising concerns among advocacy groups who cite the repressive nature of their governments.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 9 Apr. 2026
Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Nonetheless, Russia’s repressive apparatus of state now appears to be shifting into high gear.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Vision 2030, as a whole, has let some air into the repressive Saudi state.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
The Miami Film Festival hosted several documentaries about Cuba, including Revolution’s Daughter which focuses on one of Fidel Castro’s 11 children — Alina Fernández Revuelta – who fled Cuba in 1993 after rejecting her father’s repressive rule.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
In this highly repressive environment, politicians should be putting greater distance between themselves and the handling of cultural money.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
If workers organize to push back on lower or unpaid wages, the stage can be set for more repressive measures like union busting.
—Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Although he was known for repressive moves as National Police chief in the early 2000s, Qalibaf later enjoyed a reputation as a technocrat who hobnobbed with the likes of Gavin Newsom at Davos during his long tenure as mayor of Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Several African nations have signed such deals with the administration, raising concerns among advocacy groups who cite the repressive nature of their governments.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressive
Adjective
-
Wearing a navy blue suit with an American flag pinned on the lapel, a low-energy Weinstein appeared unemotional as White delivered her opening remarks.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Meursault’s callousness toward the world — his calm and unemotional demeanor at his mother’s death, his seeming inability to show grief or regret or passion or even anger in just about any circumstance — becomes the focal point of his trial and of the novel itself.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
He was considered the safest bet in a generally unimpressive field, a regular middle-class guy — and a white male, the only ethnicity and gender that has ever been elected governor in California.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Having already thwarted an unimpressive — and perhaps dysfunctional — Giants team and a talented Mariners squad, the Yankees will open their home slate against an upstart Marlins club.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressive. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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