oppressive
op|pres|sive /əpr'esɪv/
1 [ADJ]
If you describe a society, its laws, or customs as oppressive, you think they treat people cruelly and unfairly.
The new laws will be just as oppressive as those they replace.
...refugees from the oppressive regime.
= repressive
2 [ADJ]
If you describe the weather or the atmosphere in a room as oppressive, you mean that it is unpleasantly hot and damp.
The oppressive afternoon heat had quite tired him out...
= stifling
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An oppressive situation makes you feel depressed and uncomfortable.
...the oppressive sadness that weighed upon him like a physical pain.
1 [ADJ]
If you describe a society, its laws, or customs as oppressive, you think they treat people cruelly and unfairly.
The new laws will be just as oppressive as those they replace.
...refugees from the oppressive regime.
= repressive
2 [ADJ]
If you describe the weather or the atmosphere in a room as oppressive, you mean that it is unpleasantly hot and damp.
The oppressive afternoon heat had quite tired him out...
= stifling
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An oppressive situation makes you feel depressed and uncomfortable.
...the oppressive sadness that weighed upon him like a physical pain.