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

Derived Forms

• opˈpressively, adverb
• opˈpressiveness, noun

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

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

Example Sentences

Worried about the potential for homeless encampment sweeps and an oppressive police presence during the Games, the group has taken note of Hoover’s background.

From Los Angeles Times

It demonstrates that love, though perhaps the world’s most beautiful emotion, is not necessarily the most important one, at least not when oppressive politics become involved.

From Salon

By its very nature, it cannot be noble; it depends on lies that vilify an entire population and maintaining an inherently oppressive status quo.

From Salon

Yet they have also had their fears and prejudices manipulated by reactionary social forces or believe they will somehow benefit from the maintenance of an oppressive status quo, to say nothing of the creation of an even more oppressive alternative under the pro-plutocracy, pro-white nationalist, pro-patriarchy Trump.

From Salon

Before the election, Atwood had tweeted on X an editorial cartoon that referenced "The Handmaid's Tale" in a hopeful fashion, in which women lined up and dressed in the oppressive handmaid's cloak and hood would emerge from the voting booth in modern attire.

From Salon

Related Words

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