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

regressively adverb

regressiveness noun

regressivity

ˌrē-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Examples of regressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The war was thus a pivotal event marking the eclipse of the nineteenth-century system of regressive tariffs by the rise of progressive taxation. —Ajay K. Mehrotra / Made By History, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

But Project 2025 is stuffed with regressive plans to roll back the IRA and federal climate policies, among other ideas like stripping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect clean air and water. —Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Trump’s agenda is economically regressive, benefitting the wealthiest Americans and hurting the working class while exploding the deficit. —Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024

Regardless of who wins, women will either reap the benefits of pro-women policies or feel the repercussions of regressive ones on January 20, 2025. —Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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