oppressive

oppressive — adjective

1. using power in a hard and unfair way that keeps people under control

1.形容詞C2
釋義

using power in a hard and unfair way that keeps people under control

例句

Villagers lived under oppressive laws that punished even small protests.

collocation: oppressive laws

An oppressive boss checked every message and cut workers' pay.

同義詞
  • repressive

    is especially common for governments, police action, and limits on freedom

  • tyrannical

    sounds stronger and often points to a ruler using unchecked power

  • harsh

    is broader and can describe treatment, rules, or punishment without the idea of long-term control

  • authoritarian

    stresses strict obedience and top-down control more than emotional pressure

反義詞
  • fair

    suggests people are treated justly

  • liberating

    suggests greater freedom rather than control

  • tolerant

    suggests people are allowed different views or ways of living

文法句型

oppressive laws

oppressive regime

oppressive rule

用法筆記

Common with government, laws, rule, and working conditions rather than one rude act by one person. Distinguish from adjective/2, which is about a heavy atmosphere or feeling.

常見錯誤

❌The government is oppressive because the weather is hot.
✅The government is oppressive.' / 'The weather is oppressive.
💡this adjective has separate social and weather senses.

2. making a place or situation feel tense, heavy, and hard to bear

2.形容詞C2
釋義

making a place or situation feel tense, heavy, and hard to bear

例句

After the argument, an oppressive silence filled the kitchen.

collocation: oppressive silence

Dark curtains and locked windows gave the room an oppressive feel.

pattern: give a room an oppressive feel

同義詞
  • stifling

    suggests there is no mental or emotional space to relax

  • suffocating

    is stronger and gives a vivid image of not being able to breathe freely

  • gloomy

    focuses more on sadness or darkness than on pressure

  • tense

    focuses on nervous expectation rather than a heavy overall feeling

反義詞
  • airy

    suggests lightness and space

  • relaxed

    suggests ease rather than pressure

  • uplifting

    suggests a place or event makes people feel better

文法句型

oppressive silence

an oppressive atmosphere

feel oppressive

用法筆記

Often describes silence, atmosphere, mood, or surroundings rather than direct cruelty. Distinguish from adjective/3, which is specifically about hot, still weather or air.

3. very hot, still, and uncomfortable because no fresh air is moving

3.形容詞C2
釋義

very hot, still, and uncomfortable because no fresh air is moving

例句

By noon, the oppressive heat drove everyone indoors.

collocation: oppressive heat

The air felt oppressive, and sweat ran down Maya's neck.

linking verb: feel oppressive

同義詞
  • stifling

    is a close everyday word for heat that feels hard to breathe in

  • airless

    focuses on the lack of fresh moving air

  • humid

    describes wet air, but not always the same heavy discomfort

  • sweltering

    stresses extreme heat more than stillness

反義詞
  • cool

    suggests lower, comfortable temperature

  • fresh

    suggests clean moving air

  • breezy

    suggests pleasant wind

文法句型

oppressive heat

oppressive weather

the air felt oppressive

用法筆記

Used mainly for heat, weather, air, or afternoons in hot seasons. Distinguish from adjective/2, which can describe emotional pressure even when the temperature is normal.

常見錯誤

❌The soup is oppressive.
✅The weather is oppressive.' / 'The soup is too heavy.
💡this sense is used for heat and air, not for food.