regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgre-siv 
1
: tending to regress or produce regression
2
: being, characterized by, or developing in the course of an evolutionary process involving increasing simplification of bodily structure
3
: decreasing in rate as the base increases
a regressive tax
Examples of regressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As with earlier versions of the bill, the measure would be highly regressive.
—
Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Raising the early retirement age would also be regressive, because richer people tend to live longer, while early retirement is more common in low-income states.
—Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Further, the policy is regressive: New Yorkers making $100,000 per year will receive a benefit of about $15 each month, while a household earning $300,000 per year will receive $50 each month.
—Nathan Gusdorf, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Proponents say switching to a consumption tax would end the tax bias against saving and investment, while critics say these taxes tend to be regressive and would hurt lower-earning households.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regressive
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Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Raising the early retirement age would also be regressive, because richer people tend to live longer, while early retirement is more common in low-income states.
—Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Further, the policy is regressive: New Yorkers making $100,000 per year will receive a benefit of about $15 each month, while a household earning $300,000 per year will receive $50 each month.
—Nathan Gusdorf, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Proponents say switching to a consumption tax would end the tax bias against saving and investment, while critics say these taxes tend to be regressive and would hurt lower-earning households.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regressive
Cite this Entry
“Regressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regressive. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgres-iv
1
: of, relating to, or tending toward regression
2
: gradually decreasing
a regressive tax
Medical Definition
regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgres-iv
: relating to, resulting from, producing, or characterized by regression
regressive behavior
regressive tissue changes
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