Op‐press″ive (?), a. [Cf. F. oppressif.]
1. Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law. Macaulay.
2. Using oppression; tyrannical; as, oppressive authority or commands.
3. Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; as, oppressive grief or woe.
To ease the soul of one oppressive weight. Pope.
— Op‐press″ive‐ly, adv. — Op‐press″ive‐ness, n.