repressive
Translation
repressive, oppressive
Examples
Das repressive Regime unterdrückte die Meinungsfreiheit.
The repressive regime suppressed freedom of speech.
Sie empfand die Regeln als sehr repressiv.
She found the rules very repressive.
Grammar Patterns
((attributive)) a repressive ~ ein repressives System
((predicative)) ~ is repressive Das System ist repressiv.
Similar Words
Synonyms: unterdrückend, autoritär; Antonyms: liberal, frei
Etymology
From Latin 'reprimere' (to press back). 're-' (back) + 'pressiv' (from 'pressen', to press).
Memory Tips
Think of 're-press' – to press something down again and again, like a government pressing down on its people.