ENGLISH
REFERENCE

oppressive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈpɹɛsɪv// UK //əpɹˈɛsɪv// op·pres·sive

adj. describing a situation that is cruel, unfair, and prevents people from being free. It can also describe weather that is so hot and humid that it makes you feel tired or uncomfortable.

adj. inflicting harsh and authoritarian treatment upon a population; also used to describe weather conditions that are stifling or burdensome. Often used predicatively after 'feel' or 'become'.


SIMPLE

The heat in the small room was oppressive.

CONTEXTUAL

Citizens eventually protested against the oppressive laws that restricted their right to speak freely in public.

COMPLEX

The regime maintained its power through an oppressive combination of heavy surveillance and the systematic suppression of any political dissent, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear.

Synonyms
Origin

From oppress + -ive.

Usage

Often precedes nouns like 'heat', 'regime', or 'silence'. When describing weather, it is frequently modified by 'quite' or 'extremely'.

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