oppressive

[ uh-pres-iv ]
/ əˈprɛs ɪv /

adjective

burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical: an oppressive king; oppressive laws.
causing discomfort by being excessive, intense, elaborate, etc.: oppressive heat.
distressing or grievous: oppressive sorrows.

Origin of oppressive

1620–30; < Medieval Latin oppresīvus, equivalent to oppress(us) (see oppress) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM oppressive

Example sentences from the Web for oppressive

British Dictionary definitions for oppressive

oppressive
/ (əˈprɛsɪv) /

adjective

cruel, harsh, or tyrannical
heavy, constricting, or depressing

Derived forms of oppressive

oppressively, adverb oppressiveness, noun