as in harsh
difficult to endure
an oppressive regime that rules through terror
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Recent Examples of oppressive
Living in the South, dealing with sweltering heat and oppressive humidity is a struggle every Southerner knows all too well—though most would gladly go without it.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
George Frey | Getty Images News | Getty Images
With hurricane season underway and an oppressive heat wave rolling across parts of the nation, investors have been snapping up shares of Generac.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
George Frey | Getty Images News | Getty Images
With hurricane season underway and an oppressive heat wave rolling across parts of the nation, investors have been snapping up shares of Generac.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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Late-night talk shows across the board are facing the harsh reality that declines in ad revenue can’t make up for burgeoning production costs.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
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The harsh reality is this: not all cell phone forensic extractions are created equal, and the most important evidence for trucking cases on the smartphone will be gone in days or weeks.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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After the brutal ascent of Ventoux, sprinters get their spotlight.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Mortensen not only survived the brutal massacre, but is also the only eyewitness to have seen Kohberger at the scene of the crime.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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Stellantis' loss, versus a 5.6 billion euro net profit a year earlier, underscores the tough challenges for new CEO Antonio Filosa, who was appointed in May after a disastrous performance in the company's crucial U.S. market in 2024 forced the ouster of former boss Carlos Tavares.—
Giulio Piovaccari,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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In a searing rebuttal days before the British socialite was convicted for procuring victims for Epstein’s abuse in December 2021, Comey spoke to the perverted duo’s reasons for targeting teens from disadvantaged backgrounds.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
17 July 2025
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In a searing ruling against the Trump administration, a federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked federal agents from using racial profiling to carry out indiscriminate immigration arrests that advocates say have terrorized Angelenos, forced people into hiding and damaged the local economy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Michigan's Lower Peninsula is expected to see potentially severe weather on July 24, with rain developing over the Upper Peninsula as well.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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Severe Injury Risk in Gymnastics Though neck and spinal injuries remain a palpable risk in men’s and women’s gymnastics, severe injuries – causing paralysis or death – are rare.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
24 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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Devin Williams has settled down after a rough beginning of the year, and Luke Weaver remains superb despite some hiccups before the All-Star Break.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Here are several other Twins takeaways from a rough weekend in Denver, which ended on an encouraging note: Ryan shows confidence after first All-Star Game Making his first start since delivering a dominant inning in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Ryan was outstanding in the series finale.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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