/ Dictionary / Index O oppressive: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: op•pres•sive Pronunciation: (u-pres'iv), [key] — adj. burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical: an oppressive king; oppressive laws. causing discomfort by being excessive, intense, elaborate, etc.: oppressive heat. distressing or grievous: oppressive sorrows. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: oppressive (Thesaurus) oppression opprobrious Related Content Daily Word Quiz: procrastinate Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language