oppressive
UK: əˈpresɪv | US: əˈpresɪv
adj. 1. unjustly inflicting hardship or constraint, especially by abusing authority.
adj. 2. causing mental or physical discomfort; overwhelming.
The word "oppressive" traces back to Latin oppressus, the past participle of opprimere ("to press against, crush"). The morpheme op- (a variant of ob-, meaning "against") combines with press (from Latin premere, "to press"), reflecting the literal idea of physical or metaphorical pressure. The suffix -ive turns the verb into an adjective, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action. Over time, the term evolved from physical crushing to describing systemic or psychological burden, aligning with its modern meanings of tyranny or stifling conditions.
The oppressive heat made it difficult to work outdoors.
Citizens protested against the oppressive laws imposed by the regime.
His oppressive management style led to high employee turnover.
The silence in the room felt oppressive after the argument.
Many fled the country to escape the oppressive political climate.