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Definition of repressive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

repressive

adjective
 
/rɪˈpresɪv/
 
/rɪˈpresɪv/
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  1. (of a system of government) controlling people by force and limiting their freedom synonym dictatorial, tyrannical
    • a repressive regime/measure/law
    Extra Examples
    • He is an outspoken critic of the country's repressive government.
    • His rule was both repressive and corrupt.
    • It was described as one of the world's most repressive regimes.
    • The government used the incident to justify more repressive measures against the unions.
  2. controlling emotions and desires and not allowing them to be expressed
See repressive in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee repressive in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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