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View synonyms for oppressive

oppressive

[ uh-pres-iv ]

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.



oppressive

/ əˈprɛsɪv /

adjective

  1. cruel, harsh, or tyrannical
  2. heavy, constricting, or depressing
“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


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Derived Forms

  • opˈpressively, adverb
  • opˈpressiveness, noun
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Other Words From

  • op·pressive·ly adverb
  • op·pressive·ness noun
  • nonop·pressive adjective
  • nonop·pressive·ly adverb
  • nonop·pressive·ness noun
  • self-op·pressive adjective
  • unop·pressive adjective
  • unop·pressive·ly adverb
  • unop·pressive·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of oppressive1

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

When that outdoor environment becomes oppressive and you have a culture that’s not equipped to spend our days inside in air conditioning, that really throws us a curveball.

While the summer heat can undoubtedly feel oppressive at times, there’s no reason why you can’t grab one of the best portable fans out there to make things more bearable, especially if you know which factors to prioritize.

Humidity may turn oppressive, with low temperatures easily holding in the upper 60s to mid-70s by sunrise.

Dubai’s ruling family drew international scrutiny in 2018 after the prime minister’s daughter, Princess Latifa, was detained after she was found on board a boat off the coast of India while attempting to flee her family’s oppressive grip.

From Ozy

The failure of the humidity to reach the oppressive levels of many a summer’s day in Washington probably also enhanced the attractions of Tuesday.

Demographic changes are making that community less dogmatic, even through the Castro regime remains an oppressive dictatorship.

In other words, markets were impersonal, but that was good, because sometimes personal ties were cruel and oppressive.

And of course there is the truly bad touch that is humiliating, oppressive and often painful.

After all, what can I do about such oppressive policies and actions overseas?

Some of those oppressive systems are found in the Church itself!

Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive?

Oppressive laws compel me to pay a portion of my hard earnings to support them in their pride and indolence.

The thermometer now ranged between 87 and 89 degrees and the weather was consequently extremely oppressive and sultry.

The majority, no doubt, would gladly retain him; but there were some to whom his presence was oppressive.

The air is oppressive with tobacco smoke; the boisterous talk of the men playing cards near by annoys me.

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