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

When it was first introduced in 2020, many US architects critiqued the move as regressive, viewing it as an attempt by the Trump administration to impose a uniform style on public buildings and to promote nationalist ideals. —Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 21 Jan. 2025

As a form of regressive taxation, tariffs drained money from people with a relatively high propensity to consume. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Quanta Magazine caught up with them to discuss the mysteries of binary-bending nuclear physics, alongside their experience being transgender — in Tennessee, no less, where anti-trans legislation is some of the most regressive (opens a new tab) in the country — while doing natural science. —Henry Carnell, Quanta Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

For all their naughtiness, Wattpad movies are largely tame and regressive, and Through My Window is no exception, so its carnal openness provides a slight counterpoint to its sexist tone. —Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 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