oppressive
gb/əpɹˈɛsɪv/ us/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
B1
Inglés
~ 8000
Acepciones
0 acepciones
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.
Patrón de uso:
an oppressive [regime/government/system/law/workplace]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
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fair (Focuses on justice and equal treatment, the opposite of being cruel and unfair.)
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democratic (Highlights shared power and free choice instead of control by a few people.)
Colocaciones
oppressive regime
|oppressive government
|oppressive system
|oppressive laws
|oppressive rule
|oppressive workplace
Temas
politics
|society
|rights
|work
|law
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
an oppressive [atmosphere/silence/feeling/environment]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
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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.)
Antónimos
relaxed (Describes an atmosphere where people feel comfortable and free from stress.)
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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.)
Colocaciones
oppressive atmosphere
|oppressive silence
|oppressive environment
|oppressive feeling
|oppressive mood
|oppressive pressure
Temas
emotions
|psychology
|work
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
oppressive [heat/humidity/weather/air]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
refreshing (Describes cool, pleasant weather that makes you feel better, the opposite of heavy and tiring heat.)
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cool (Focuses on comfortable, lower temperature, without the heavy hot feeling.)
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breezy (Highlights light wind that makes the air feel less heavy and more pleasant.)
Colocaciones
oppressive heat
|oppressive humidity
|oppressive weather
|oppressive air
|oppressive summer
|oppressive conditions
Temas
weather
|daily life
|health
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
oppressive
AFI
GB/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
US/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
Sílabas y acento
op - press - ive (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (press)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: oppressive
Familia de palabras
Core family
oppress
verb C1
oppression
noun B2
Related words
oppressor
noun
oppressively
adverb
Advanced or less common
oppressiveness
noun
Expresiones
oppressive government
1/əpɹˈɛsɪv ɡˈʌvɚnmənt/
fixed phrase
cruel and unfair government
A government that hurts people with unfair laws and strong control.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- An oppressive silence filled the room after he spoke.
- There was an oppressive silence at the table as everyone waited for her answer.