regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgre-siv 
1
: tending to regress or produce regression
2
: being, characterized by, or developing in the course of an evolutionary process involving increasing simplification of bodily structure
3
: decreasing in rate as the base increases
a regressive tax
Examples of regressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Worker victories in unlikely places Despite Trump self-promoting as a man of the people, his policies hurt workers in numerous ways – from his attack on workers’ rights to his regressive tax policies, which accelerated the upward redistribution of wealth.
—
Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
Sales taxes are highly regressive, taking a disproportionate share of receipts from the poor — even in deep-blue Maryland, which exempts many necessities from coverage.
—Stephen J. K. Walters, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
This year’s shortlist is the most regressive in years for gender diversity, with only four artists (Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, the White Stripes’ Meg White, and New Order’s Gillian Gilbert) representing a female contingent.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
But things quickly spiraled for the film: Not only did audiences critique the storyline for regressive and inauthentic storytelling, but Gasćon drew negative attention for shading her fellow nominee Fernanda Torres — and then the real mine fields detonated: Twitter users dug up Gascón’s old tweets.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
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Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
Sales taxes are highly regressive, taking a disproportionate share of receipts from the poor — even in deep-blue Maryland, which exempts many necessities from coverage.
—Stephen J. K. Walters, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
This year’s shortlist is the most regressive in years for gender diversity, with only four artists (Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, the White Stripes’ Meg White, and New Order’s Gillian Gilbert) representing a female contingent.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
But things quickly spiraled for the film: Not only did audiences critique the storyline for regressive and inauthentic storytelling, but Gasćon drew negative attention for shading her fellow nominee Fernanda Torres — and then the real mine fields detonated: Twitter users dug up Gascón’s old tweets.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regressive
Cite this Entry
“Regressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regressive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgres-iv
1
: of, relating to, or tending toward regression
2
: gradually decreasing
a regressive tax
Medical Definition
regressive
adjective
re·gres·sive
ri-ˈgres-iv
: relating to, resulting from, producing, or characterized by regression
regressive behavior
regressive tissue changes
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