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
Prisons are oppressive places, by design, and this show paints a clear picture of that — one that does not allow those on the outside to ignore the plight of those on the inside.
—
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
These things are — according to Torres’s theories — navy blue, and the threat of that color’s oppressive manifestations lurks in the show like an under-the-bed monster wearing a toupee and a bad suit.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The Polish filmmaker, a three-time Oscar nominee (Angry Harvest, Europa Europa, In Darkness) and winner of Venice’s jury prize for Green Border, has built her career on stories of outsiders confronting oppressive systems.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
These things are — according to Torres’s theories — navy blue, and the threat of that color’s oppressive manifestations lurks in the show like an under-the-bed monster wearing a toupee and a bad suit.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The Polish filmmaker, a three-time Oscar nominee (Angry Harvest, Europa Europa, In Darkness) and winner of Venice’s jury prize for Green Border, has built her career on stories of outsiders confronting oppressive systems.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oppressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressive
Adjective
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These findings highlight an urgent need to shield stem cells from the harsh realities of space.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
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Rain is coming, penciled in for an hour or two from now, and a harsh British wind is flinging leaves off branches and cloaking the countryside with something that smells dungy and damp.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Given the Normans’ brutal treatment of the English and their subsequent expansion across the Mediterranean, there are undeniable parallels between 1066 and later spasms of European expansionism.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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The eight-episode thriller, which premieres September 19 on ViX, follows Nolasco Black (Bichir), a forensic dentist investigating brutal murders in 19th century Veracruz who discovers evidence that the infamous London killer has crossed the Atlantic.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Red Rocketeers were looking to bounce back after a tough loss against King Phillip, but the opponent was strong.—
Zachary McMahon,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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Lee described the rookies as tough competitors who displayed a championship mentality during their run to the summer league championship.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The next few minutes show her searing chicken that’s been marinated in paprika, salt and pepper, and sauteeing onions and tomatoes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
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Many now consider Scorsese’s searing, boisterous boxing drama one of the director’s best — a brutal, black-and-white symphony of rage and violence.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the ground level faces severe flooding risks through a combination of rainstorms and earthquakes that bring soil water to the surface, per a study conducted in 2016 by the San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
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For more severe and potentially life-threatening infections, symptoms may include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sena was crying in pain, and so were her new owners, who even questioned whether keeping her alive was cruel.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Directed by Oliver Laxe, who’s been making waves at Cannes for years, the movie is funny and warm in parts, cruel and cold in others.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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No matter what that campaign had brought it would be a celebration of all their hard work.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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If Lamb is out, opposing defenses will likely clamp down a bit more with only Pickens to worry about as an explosive play threat, which means moving the chains will be a little harder for the rest of the offense.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a rough outing Thursday, though, Stewart will pitch again for OKC on Sunday.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
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Then there was a rough outing Week 2 at Indianapolis in which he and Strnad each were exposed in coverage and targeted by a Colts offense that racked up 447 yards and operated extensively through running back Jonathan Taylor and tight end Tyler Warren.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressive. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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