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.
Pope.
-- Op*press"ive*ly, adv. -- Op*press"ive*ness, n.
© Webster 1913.