as in harsh
difficult to endure
an oppressive regime that rules through terror
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oppressive
Between this and your previous documentary, Dear Future Children, there seems to be a desire to tell stories about people living under oppressive regimes.
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Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
And this is asking that question, how are these people finding meaning and purpose in their lives that feel so oppressive and futile?
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Those de facto governments may be illegitimate, odious, and oppressive.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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Bipartisan harsh criticism Senators from both sides of the aisle blasted the investigation.—
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Common exfoliators and fine line-eliminators like retinol and glycolic acid are too harsh on my skin, but this serum utilizes lactic acid, which is far more gentle but just as potent.—
Adjective
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Between wading or boating into choppy surf, baking in the hot sun, and getting doused in salty spray, the elements are brutal on the human body and the gear meant to withstand them.—
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Phạm Lockwood also spoke with Huan Nguyen, the sole survivor of a massacre of a South Vietnamese family in Saigon, a brutal attack allegedly orchestrated by Capt.—
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Adjective
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Sophomore Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser, whose searing opening monologue had everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Julia Roberts taking jabs in stride.—
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For the ceremony, Lawrence wore a searing red gown designed by Raf Simons during his stint at the house of Dior.—
Adjective
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There’s severe economic challenges, if not complete collapse.—
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The blaze caused severe damage to the synagogue's administrative office and its library, according to ABC affiliate station WAPT in Jackson.—
Adjective
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The forest had taught him that city dwellers could often be regulated by cruel and rather unpredictable codes.—
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That Maduro is a cruel dictator is clear; that Trump intends more than just his arrest (such as taking their oil) is equally clear.—
Adjective
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Of all my books, Helm has been so hard and so lovingly written.—
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Regardless, making amends with Ronnie is harder than Lilly would like.—
Adjective
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The Heat’s rough night began with a disastrous start, trailing 36-12 just 10 minutes into the contest.—
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Marty’s face prominently features a scar on his cheekbone and additional scarring under his chin, suggesting a rough life.—
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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