Ingles

oppressive

gb/əpɹˈɛsɪv/ us/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
B1 Ingles
~ 8000
Mga kahulugan
0 kahulugan
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.

Padron ng paggamit: an oppressive [regime/government/system/law/workplace]
Karaniwang pagkakamali:
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.
Mga kasingkahulugan
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.)
Mga kasalungat
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.)
Mga kolokasyon
oppressive regime |oppressive government |oppressive system |oppressive laws |oppressive rule |oppressive workplace
Mga tema
politics |society |rights |work |law |core_vocabulary
Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.
Mga Halimbawa para sa Nag-aaral
  • 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.

Padron ng paggamit: an oppressive [atmosphere/silence/feeling/environment]
Karaniwang pagkakamali:
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.
Mga kasingkahulugan
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.)
Mga kasalungat
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.)
Mga kolokasyon
oppressive atmosphere |oppressive silence |oppressive environment |oppressive feeling |oppressive mood |oppressive pressure
Mga tema
emotions |psychology |work |relationships |communication |core_vocabulary
Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.
Mga Halimbawa para sa Nag-aaral
  • 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.

Padron ng paggamit: oppressive [heat/humidity/weather/air]
Karaniwang pagkakamali:
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.
Mga kasingkahulugan
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.)
Mga kasalungat
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.)
Mga kolokasyon
oppressive heat |oppressive humidity |oppressive weather |oppressive air |oppressive summer |oppressive conditions
Mga tema
weather |daily life |health |nature |core_vocabulary
Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.
Mga Halimbawa para sa Nag-aaral
  • 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.
Gramatika
Anyo sa diksyunaryo
oppressive
IPA
GB/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
US/əpɹˈɛsɪv/
Mga pantig at diin
op - press - ive (3 pantig)
Stress on 2nd syllable (press)
Mga anyo ng salita
Adjective
  • Base: oppressive
Mga kaugnay na salita
Core family
oppress verb C1 oppression noun B2
Related words
oppressor noun oppressively adverb
Advanced or less common
oppressiveness noun
Mga ekspresyon

oppressive government

1
/əpɹˈɛsɪv ɡˈʌvɚnmənt/
fixed phrase

cruel and unfair government

A government that hurts people with unfair laws and strong control.

Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.

Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.

Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.

Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.

Mga Halimbawa
  • 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.

Mga Halimbawa
  • An oppressive silence filled the room after he spoke.
  • There was an oppressive silence at the table as everyone waited for her answer.

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