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Synonyms

digressive

American  
[dih-gres-iv, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛs ɪv, daɪ- /

adjective

  1. tending to digress; departing from the main subject.


digressive British  
/ daɪˈɡrɛsɪv /

adjective

  1. characterized by digression or tending to digress

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of digressive

From the Latin word dīgressīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See digress, -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Tolerant readers will delight in the digressive nature of this inventive book, though others may be disoriented by a story that drastically switches gears before concluding.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 5, 2026

The movie doesn’t get bogged down in this kind of thing, but it does have a somber air and a looser, more digressive plot than its predecessor.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 20, 2025

However, it appears that the 79-year-old president mixed up the two men when telling one of his digressive stories, this time about Ted Kaczynski, aka the Unabomber.

From Salon Jul. 23, 2025

For fans in the audience, it’s efficient one-stop shopping for what’s happening on today’s Top 40, including SZA’s wonderfully digressive R&B, Benson Boone’s earnest nice-guy balladry, Tate McRae’s neo-Britney dance-pop and Shaboozey’s post-hip-hop country music.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 24, 2024

The account by Mr. Bancroft is more elaborate, digressive, dramatic, and declamatory, but not so consecutive or concise as the preceding.

From The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2. From 1620-1816 by Egerton Ryerson

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