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   Op·pres·sive

   /əˈpresiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint, especially on a minority or other subordinate group: "an oppressive dictatorship" Similar harshcruelbrutalrepressivecrushingtyrannicaltyrannousiron-fisteddomineeringautocraticdictatorialundemocraticantidemocraticdespoticdraconianpunitiveruthlessrelentlessmercilesspitilesssevereinexorableunjustunfairundemocraticOpposite lenienthumane
   • ▪ weighing heavily on the mind or spirits; causing depression or discomfort: "a profound loneliness, an oppressive emptiness" Similar overwhelmingoverpoweringhard to bearunbearableburdensomeunendurableintolerableheavyuncomfortablegrinding
   • ▪ (of weather) excessively hot and humid. Similar muggycloseheavyhothumidstickysteamysoupyfuggyairlessstuffystiflingsuffocatingsultrytorriddialect:claggyOpposite freshairy

   Word Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin oppressivus, from oppress- ‘pressed against’, from the verb opprimere (see oppress).

   Derivatives

   • 1. oppressively adverb
   • 2. oppressiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 17

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   • P

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   • P

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   • R

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   • E

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