oppressive

The definition of oppressive is tyrannical power or power that is used unfairly.

(adjective)

An example of oppressive used as an adjective is the phrase oppressive power which is a cruel dictatorship.

The definition of oppressive is something that is hard to deal with or causes discomfort.

(adjective)

An example of oppressive is midsummer heat while you are outside.

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See oppressive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. hard to put up with; causing great discomfort or fatigue
  2. cruelly overbearing; tyrannical
  3. weighing heavily on the mind, spirits, or senses; distressing

Origin: ME oppressivus < L oppressus: see oppress

Related Forms:

See oppressive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Difficult to bear; burdensome: oppressive laws.
  2. Exercising power arbitrarily and often unjustly; tyrannical.
  3. Weighing heavily on the senses or spirit: oppressive weather. See Synonyms at burdensome.

Related Forms:

  • op·presˈsive·ly adverb
  • op·presˈsive·ness noun

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