See Also: oppressive(dictionary)
oppressive(dictionary)

oppressive (iou)



oppressive adjective. L16.
[French oppressif, -ive from medieval Latin oppressivus, from Latin oppress: see OPPRESSION, -IVE.]
Of the nature of or characterized by cruel or unjust exercise of authority or power; unreasonably harsh; tyrannical. L16.
W. McIlvanney He's still sanctioning an oppressive regime.
Weighing heavily on the mind, spirits, or senses; depressing; spec. (of weather conditions etc.) unpleasantly hot and close. E18.
V. Woolf The hostility, the indifference of other people dining here is oppressive. G. Lord It was a heavy oppressive day with an afternoon storm building up. R. Thomas Everything went quiet, but the silence was oppressive where it had once been tranquil.
oppressively adverb M18.
oppressiveness noun E18.