Added 9 October 2026 oppressive /əˈpɹɛs.ɪv/ adjective Categories: Describing WordsUncommon Words adjective ! Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about oppressive at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Burdensome or difficult to bear. The oppressive tax laws made it difficult to start a small company. Tyrannical or exercising unjust power. oppressive smell Weighing heavily on the spirit; being quite intense, excessive or overwhelming. Will the oppressive heat of summer never end? Related Words: heavydomineeringtyrannoustyrannicalburdensomeonerousviolentoppressedpressingferocioushigh-handedundue Back to today's word