adjective

repressive

rih-PRESS-iv/rɪˈpresɪv/

Restricting freedom or holding back normal activity.

The official's repressive action locks away the public noticeboard.

An authoritarian official closes a public noticeboard behind locked bars while diverse adults look concerned.

Etymology

reLatinback

+pressLatinto press, hold fast

+iveLatintending to

The pieces describe something tending to “press back” or subdue. In describing harsh control of people, this becomes pressure that keeps their actions and freedom within restrictive limits.

In context

Peoples Dispatch14:31

France backed by France backed by the United States backed by those structures which have enabled them to sort of be in power for so long uh in control of repressive structures which have destroyed uh popular movements

Give The People What They Want! BRICS summit, Updates from Niger

More examples

Students protested the school's repressive rules.
A repressive atmosphere discouraged open discussion.
The regime imposed increasingly repressive measures.

Forms

repressive · more repressive · most repressive

repression noun — suppression of freedom or activity

Similar words

restrictive: Restrictive limits activity; repressive suggests harsh control of freedom or expression.
oppressive: Oppressive burdens or dominates; repressive specifically suppresses activity or dissent.