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

Example Sentences

"Like many in this environment, I sometimes struggled to fit in," she added, describing her sport as "very oppressive".

From Barron's

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

Some of these events took place in oppressive heat.

From Salon

But his work over many decades sets historical, even mythic figures in conflict with oppressive religious and political systems.

From BBC

There has been an absence of context in the reporting of England's activities in Australia, not least the oppressive Covid restrictions they endured four years ago.

From BBC

Related Words

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