repressive

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.

The Southeast Asian nation of 100 million is both an economic success story, boasting eight percent growth last year, and a repressive one-party state that often jails its critics.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

She reminisces on a childhood growing up in a repressive household during the 1960s, when second-wave feminism and the women’s liberation movement were just starting to achieve legitimacy.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Other contenders include Hassan Khomeini—the grandson of founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—who would be expected to seek a more moderate, less repressive path.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

In the days that followed, repressive new laws were adopted here to silence dissent and punish criticism of the authorities.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Yet, the Bantu Authorities Act would replace it with an even more repressive system: a feudalistic order resting on hereditary and tribal distinctions as decided by the state.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela