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
Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Until capitalism’s oppressive grip on society ends, the Squid Games can’t either.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2025
This book, as the interstitial pieces remind us, give us new rituals for looking, exposing the casually oppressive structures of our society and imbuing trash with a newfound sense of purpose.
—Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Fleeing from their oppressive lives, our heroes, played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, take the standard trajectory of liberation embodied by the macho road movie and give it a feminist kick.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Until capitalism’s oppressive grip on society ends, the Squid Games can’t either.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2025
This book, as the interstitial pieces remind us, give us new rituals for looking, exposing the casually oppressive structures of our society and imbuing trash with a newfound sense of purpose.
—Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Fleeing from their oppressive lives, our heroes, played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, take the standard trajectory of liberation embodied by the macho road movie and give it a feminist kick.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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The biggest change was the introduction of the punitive second apron, which imposed harsh team-building restrictions on teams that crossed said line.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Unlike harsher retinoids, this one is gentle enough for sensitive skin.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Read more: 49ers Reveal Significant Injury Update on Brandon Aiyuk Ahead of his first season as the Vikings' starter, McCarthy has been hit with a brutal prediction.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The Eastern Conference is wide open after the brutal injuries to both Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton during the playoffs, and now the Knicks are saddled with the expectations of excellence.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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But after rookie third baseman Ronny Mauricio made an exceptionally tough double play to end a two-on, one-out threat in the bottom of the eighth, there was no way the Mets were losing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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Morton, 43, may take that advice under serious consideration, mentioning how tough the fans – and even fellow cast members – have been on her following this past season’s cast trip to Grenada.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Netflix continues to expand its reality TV universe, with The Ultimatum franchise returning for another searing test of love and commitment.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
2 July 2025
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Football is certainly another, which is why rapper Kendrick Lamar’s willingness to hold a mirror to America during his Super Bowl halftime performance was so searing in its power.—
Andrea Williams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The package includes severe cuts to Medicaid, threatens local (especially rural) hospitals and clinics, adds additional spending for deportations (for people who will now get amnesty?), and increases $350 billion a year in ADDED deficits.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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The severe weather threat led to an evacuation order at the Harley-Davidson festival on Milwaukee's lakefront.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Each of us should demand our local leaders challenge every one of the immoral and cruel state laws and the Gestapo-like raids and inhumane detainments carried out by ICE agents.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
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Even critics who considered his policies cruel and racist – and there were many – admitted that behind the bluster there was the charm of a true believer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
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While a canker sore is forming, that part of your mouth may also tingle, burn or feel rough.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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