oppressive

American  

[uh-pres-iv] / əˈprɛs ɪv /

adjective

1. burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical.

   an oppressive king;

   oppressive laws.

2. causing discomfort by being excessive, intense, elaborate, etc..

   oppressive heat.

3. distressing or grievous.

   oppressive sorrows.

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oppressive British  

/ əˈprɛsɪv /

adjective

1. cruel, harsh, or tyrannical

2. heavy, constricting, or depressing

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Other Word Forms

• nonoppressive adjective
• nonoppressively adverb
• nonoppressiveness noun
• oppressively adverb
• oppressiveness noun
• self-oppressive adjective
• unoppressive adjective
• unoppressively adverb
• unoppressiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of oppressive

First recorded in 1620–30; from Medieval Latin oppresīvus, equivalent to Latin oppress(us) “pressed down” ( oppress ) + -īvus -ive

Explanation

Think of something crushing you, and you will understand what oppressive is. It can be something that crushes your spirit, like a bad relationship, or something that crushes you with its tyranny, like the oppressive rule of a dictator. Oppressive comes in many flavors; laws can be oppressive, governments can be oppressive, even relationships can be oppressive. The adjective oppressive is heavy stuff; it can feel like you can't breathe, like something is choking you: "His oppressive behavior made me feel like I was being smothered." If something is just too intense, and not in a good way, that also can feel oppressive.

Example Sentences

It says the changes are intended to protect people facing "extreme and oppressive" discrimination and to prevent exploitation and trafficking.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The pain and exhaustion and grief are so real and oppressive, the camera never dares set a foot outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

We can and should hope for a better outcome for Iranians than for Iraqis: freedom from an oppressive regime, minimal death and destruction, a smooth democratic transition, a functional democracy, a peaceful and prosperous society.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

And the dominant instinct in India is to tinker with onerous rules to make them somewhat less oppressive rather than attempt a sweeping overhaul.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Everything is shiny to an oppressive degree; I can practically see my reflection in the marble floor.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Related Words

• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• depressing
• dictatorial
• harsh
• heavy-handed
• inhuman
• onerous
• overbearing
• tyrannical
• unjust