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oppressive

[uh-pres-iv] / əˈprɛs ɪv /




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His initial rationale—to oust the oppressive regime, so the Iranian people could take over—was always a pipe dream.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

They characterize these authorities as an oppressive force, denying individuals the freedom to make their own choices, however unscientific, about healthcare.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

There was Kent Brantly, 27, a family physician who, owing to the grueling hours and oppressive African heat, had lost 30 pounds even before he succumbed to hemorrhagic fevers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

A woman in her 20s in Tehran said she believed Mojtaba Khamenei would be "even more oppressive than his dad".

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

It was oppressive, as oppressive as Aunt Elizabeth telling him to “be strong,” her voice warbly over the phone, as if there were something she knew that he did not.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie




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