Definitions for oppressiveəˈprɛs ɪv

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

op•pres•siveəˈprɛs ɪv(adj.)

  1. burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical.

  2. causing discomfort.

  3. distressing or grievous.

Origin of oppressive:

1620–30; < ML

op•pres′sive•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. oppressive(adj)

    weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

    "the atmosphere was oppressive"; "oppressive sorrows"

  2. oppressive, tyrannical, tyrannous(adj)

    marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior

    "the oppressive government"; "oppressive laws"; "a tyrannical parent"; "tyrannous disregard of human rights"

Wiktionary

  1. oppressive(Adjective)

    Burdensome or difficult to bear.

    The oppressive tax laws made it difficult to start a small company.

  2. oppressive(Adjective)

    Tyrannical or exercising unjust power.

    The oppressive land-owners kept a grip on the labourers.

  3. oppressive(Adjective)

    Weighing heavily on the spirit; intense, or overwhelming

    Will the oppressive heat of summer never end?


Translations for oppressive

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

oppressive(adjective)

oppressing; cruel; hard to bear

oppressive laws.

Get even more translations for oppressive »


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