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

Other Word Forms

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

His messages were "not merely irritating or annoying, but rather oppressive and unacceptable, thereby crossing the threshold into harassment", Julia Faure Walker, for the prosecution, said on Thursday.

From BBC

Our Renters' Rights Bill will finally ban the oppressive rule of no-fault evictions and will reset the balance between renters and landlords through ground breaking protection for renters.

From BBC

With his polo shirts and running shoes, he stood out in a town where most wore flip-flops and as few clothes as possible in the oppressive heat.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a little like eating at those restaurants where you find your napkin refolded whenever you come back from the restroom — at some point, such determined pampering becomes oppressive.

From Salon

He plays a working-class hero taking on a wealthy, oppressive villain.

From BBC

Related Words

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