OPPRESSIVE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'oppressive' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oppressive are burdensome , exacting , and onerous . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Q: When can 'burdensome' be used instead of 'oppressive'?

In some situations, the words burdensome and oppressive are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: When would 'exacting' be a good substitute for 'oppressive'?

While the synonyms exacting and oppressive are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: Where would 'onerous' be a reasonable alternative to 'oppressive'?

The words onerous and oppressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

oppressive

adjective

ə-ˈpre-siv

Definition of oppressive next

as in harsh

difficult to endure an oppressive regime that rules through terror

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oppressive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oppressive are burdensome, exacting, and onerous. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

When can burdensome be used instead of oppressive?

In some situations, the words burdensome and oppressive are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

When would exacting be a good substitute for oppressive?

While the synonyms exacting and oppressive are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to oppressive?

The words onerous and oppressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of oppressive From the start, Cowell tried to rise above his oppressive surroundings. —

Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025 Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn. —

Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025 The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition. —

Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025 Andor updates the Empire from a vague and cartoonishly evil dictatorship to a mundane evil, one that is so oppressive in everyday life, in casual cruelty that rebellion becomes not a choice, but a necessity. —

Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for oppressive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive

Adjective

That question is particularly pointed in the case of the U. of C. Will its promotion of freedom of expression and inquiry prove in the end to have been a marketing strategy that can be discarded in the face of harsh political realities?

— Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
But the evening maintained a spirited vibe even with the harsh realities of upended lives as part of the backdrop.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025