oppressive
gb/əpɹˈɛsɪv/ us/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
B1
Английски
~ 8000
Значения
0 значения
adjective
B2
property
1
using power in a cruel, unfair way
Using power or rules in a very hard and unfair way that stops people from being free.
Модел на употреба:
an oppressive [regime/government/system/law/workplace]
Честа грешка:
Learners sometimes use 'oppressive' when they only mean 'strict' or 'difficult'. 'Oppressive' usually suggests that the power or rules are not only strict but also unfair and limiting people’s basic rights or freedom. It is stronger than just 'hard' or 'tough'. Learners also confuse 'oppressive' with 'depressive'; 'depressive' is about causing depression or deep sadness, not about unfair power.
Синоними
repressive (Often used about governments that control people by force and fear, strongly overlapping with 'oppressive'.)
|
authoritarian (Stresses strict obedience to authority; may sound slightly more formal and technical than 'oppressive'.)
|
tyrannical (Stronger and more emotional, suggesting cruel and absolute power by a ruler.)
|
harsh (More general; can describe strict rules or treatment, not always clearly unfair.)
Антоними
liberal (Describes systems or governments that allow a lot of personal freedom and rights.)
|
tolerant (Emphasizes allowing different opinions and behaviors rather than using strict control.)
|
fair (Focuses on justice and equal treatment, the opposite of being cruel and unfair.)
|
democratic (Highlights shared power and free choice instead of control by a few people.)
Колокации
oppressive regime
|oppressive government
|oppressive system
|oppressive laws
|oppressive rule
|oppressive workplace
Теми
politics
|society
|rights
|work
|law
|core_vocabulary
Примери
- Citizens finally protested against the oppressive regime that had ruled for decades.
- New laws gave the police oppressive powers to search people without reason.
- Workers complained about the company’s oppressive policies and unpaid overtime.
- She grew up under an oppressive government that banned free speech and free media.
- The report described the prison’s culture as deeply oppressive and dehumanizing.
Примери за учащи
- People are afraid to speak in an oppressive country.
- The workers want to change the oppressive rules at their job.
- They ran away from an oppressive government.
- Many people fought to end the oppressive system of slavery.
- The new law is very oppressive to poor families.
adjective
B2
property
2
causing a heavy, tense feeling
Making people feel very heavy, tense, or uncomfortable inside, like there is no air or freedom in the situation.
Модел на употреба:
an oppressive [atmosphere/silence/feeling/environment]
Честа грешка:
Learners often confuse 'oppressive' with 'depressing'. 'Depressing' means something makes you sad; 'oppressive' focuses more on a feeling of pressure, tension, or being unable to breathe or act freely. Also, 'oppressive' is stronger than 'uncomfortable'; it suggests that the emotional weight is hard to bear.
Синоними
stifling (Focuses on the feeling that you cannot breathe or express yourself freely; often used for both air and mood.)
|
suffocating (Very strong; suggests emotional or social conditions that feel like you are being choked.)
|
heavy (More informal and general; describes a serious or tense mood but is less strong than 'oppressive'.)
|
claustrophobic (Literally about small spaces, but often used metaphorically for situations that feel too closed or limited.)
Антоними
relaxed (Describes an atmosphere where people feel comfortable and free from stress.)
|
light (Often describes a mood or atmosphere that is easy, happy, and not serious or tense.)
|
open (Suggests people are free to speak and act honestly, the opposite of a closed, tense feeling.)
Колокации
oppressive atmosphere
|oppressive silence
|oppressive environment
|oppressive feeling
|oppressive mood
|oppressive pressure
Теми
emotions
|psychology
|work
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Примери
- There was an oppressive silence in the room after he announced the layoffs.
- She found the office atmosphere oppressive and went home exhausted every day.
- The film creates an oppressive mood that makes the audience feel constantly uneasy.
- Growing up in such an oppressive family environment left him anxious and unsure of himself.
- The constant criticism from her boss became emotionally oppressive over time.
Примери за учащи
- The meeting had an oppressive silence.
- The classroom felt oppressive because no one could speak freely.
- He left the party because the mood was dark and oppressive.
- She does not like the oppressive feeling in that office.
- The rules in his home create an oppressive atmosphere.
adjective
B1
property
3
unpleasantly hot and heavy (weather)
Very hot and heavy in a way that makes people feel bad, tired, or like they cannot breathe easily.
Модел на употреба:
oppressive [heat/humidity/weather/air]
Честа грешка:
Learners sometimes use only 'hot' when they really mean 'oppressive'. 'Hot' describes temperature, but 'oppressive' adds the idea that the heat feels heavy and tiring, often with little air or wind. Do not use 'oppressive' for cold weather; it is normally used for heat.
Синоними
stifling (Commonly used for very hot, airless weather; often interchangeable with this sense of 'oppressive'.)
|
sultry (Describes hot, humid weather; slightly more literary and can have a sensual tone.)
|
sweltering (Emphasizes extreme heat more than heaviness or lack of air.)
Антоними
refreshing (Describes cool, pleasant weather that makes you feel better, the opposite of heavy and tiring heat.)
|
cool (Focuses on comfortable, lower temperature, without the heavy hot feeling.)
|
breezy (Highlights light wind that makes the air feel less heavy and more pleasant.)
Колокации
oppressive heat
|oppressive humidity
|oppressive weather
|oppressive air
|oppressive summer
|oppressive conditions
Теми
weather
|daily life
|health
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Примери
- We stayed indoors all afternoon to escape the oppressive heat.
- The air was so oppressive that even walking a short distance felt exhausting.
- After a day of oppressive humidity, the evening storm was a relief.
- The city becomes almost unbearable in the oppressive summer weather.
- Thick, oppressive air hung over the valley before the rain finally came.
Примери за учащи
- The heat today is oppressive.
- It is hard to sleep in this oppressive weather.
- We closed the curtains to keep out the oppressive sun.
- Everyone moved slowly in the oppressive summer air.
- The oppressive humidity made my clothes stick to my skin.
Граматика
Речникова форма
oppressive
IPA
GB/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
US/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
Срички и ударение
op - press - ive (3 срички)
Stress on 2nd syllable (press)
Форми на думата
Adjective
- Base: oppressive
Семейство думи
Core family
oppress
verb C1
oppression
noun B2
Related words
oppressor
noun
oppressively
adverb
Advanced or less common
oppressiveness
noun
Изрази
oppressive government
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv ɡˈʌvɚnmənt/
fixed phrase
cruel and unfair government
A government that hurts people with unfair laws and strong control.
Примери
- They protested against the oppressive government in the capital.
- International groups criticized the country’s oppressive government.
oppressive heat
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv hˈit/
fixed phrase
very heavy, uncomfortable heat
Heat that is so hot and heavy that people feel tired and cannot feel comfortable.
Примери
- We hid in the shade to escape the oppressive heat.
- Tourists were not prepared for the city’s oppressive heat in August.
oppressive humidity
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv hjumˈɪdəti/
fixed phrase
very heavy, humid air
Air that has so much water in it that it feels very heavy, hot, and uncomfortable.
Примери
- The oppressive humidity made everyone sweat immediately.
- In the jungle, the oppressive humidity can be more tiring than the heat.
oppressive laws
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv lˈɔz/
fixed phrase
harsh, unfair laws
Laws that are very hard and unfair and take away people’s rights.
Примери
- Activists are working to change the oppressive laws against free speech.
- He was jailed under oppressive laws that punish political opponents.
oppressive regime
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv ɹɪʒˈim/
fixed phrase
cruel, unfair government
A government that controls people in a very hard and unfair way and does not allow real freedom.
Примери
- Many people fled the country to escape its oppressive regime.
- The book tells the story of life under an oppressive regime.
oppressive silence
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv sˈaɪləns/
fixed phrase
heavy, tense silence
A very strong quiet that feels heavy and makes people feel tense or afraid to speak.
Примери
- An oppressive silence filled the room after he spoke.
- There was an oppressive silence at the table as everyone waited for her answer.