English Reference

Word

oppressive

Phoneticsop·pres·sive

US/əˈpɹɛsɪv/

UK/əpɹˈɛsɪv/

Definitions

01tyrannical or cruel

B2

adj. treating people in a cruel and unfair way, especially by a government or person in power.

adj. exercising power in a cruel, unjust, or burdensome manner; characteristic of a tyranny.

“The people finally rose up against the oppressive regime that had ruled for decades.”

“The new laws were seen as increasingly oppressive, systematically stripping citizens of their right to peaceful assembly and free expression.”

Synonyms

tyrannicaldespoticcruel

02weather

B2

adj. weather that is very hot and humid, making you feel tired and uncomfortable.

adj. describing weather conditions that are uncomfortably hot and humid, often creating a sense of physical heaviness.

“The oppressive heat in the city made it difficult to sleep at night.”

“An oppressive humidity hung over the valley, making even the slightest physical exertion feel like a monumental task.”

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“We live in an age when even billionaire inherited rulers get to style themselves as victims of oppressive power structures.”
The Guardian · 25 Sept 2026
“The dangers of oppressive heat were in full view at the Cincinnati Open this month, when world No.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 27 Aug 2026

Etymology

From oppress + -ive.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference