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.

-- Op*press"ive*ly, adv. -- Op*press"ive*ness, n.

• burdensome or difficult to bear
       
• the oppressive tax laws made it difficult to start a small company
  
• tyrannical or exercising unjust power
       
• the oppressive land-owners kept a grip on the labourers
  
• weighing heavilly on the spirit
       
• will this oppressive weather never end?