oppressively

adverb

Definition of oppressivelynext
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering forced to live under an oppressively cruel government

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oppressively The summer had seen Europe endure an oppressively dry, hot summer, which had seen wildfires spring up across the continent. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 After a bit of a reprieve from an oppressively hot summer, another heat wave is set to scorch Southern California this week. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Survey respondents said their dwellings stayed oppressively hot even at night because overcrowding and poor construction trapped the heat. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026 Jackie searches for Madi, wondering if her sister is a victim or a killer while maneuvering an oppressively demanding office and reflecting on her own previous crimes. — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 The oppressively hot and steamy weather was no deterrent for the crowds that lined up along Crandon Boulevard on Saturday to celebrate America’s independence at Key Biscayne’s 67th Fourth of July parade. — Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 Fortunately, this spell of hot temps will be a generally drier heat — not necessarily oppressively humid like is typical for New England. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025 On an oppressively hot Friday in July, plumes of smoke curl up from Arnolds Field. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oppressively
  1. harshly
  2. severely
  3. brutally
Adverb
  • Yust also alleges prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that a prosecutor improperly urged jurors to sentence him more harshly because of the emotional impact of the trial on them.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.
    — McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of harshly
Adverb
  • Ford Motor is increasing production of its crucial F-Series trucks after fires at an aluminum supplier severely impacted output over the past year.
    — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The water supply system for the park was also severely damaged, along with part of a new $208 million water pipeline project that was underway near the ranch.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of severely
Adverb
  • Sandra Bullock's brutally honest daughter is all for her mother dating again.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike in Libya, where Moammar Gadhafi and his son Mutassim were captured and killed by rebels within months, the Assad regime retained its grip on power for years, brutally crushing protesters in the process.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutally

Browse Nearby Words

oppressive
oppressively
oppressiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Oppressively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oppressively. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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