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

Such flat taxes are considered regressive by many experts because low- and middle-income taxpayers would end up paying a larger share of their incomes than would wealthy Americans. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2024

The revenue generated from tariffs, though potentially substantial, is paid indirectly and generated from the functional equivalent of a regressive tax on consumers. —Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Vote no on regressive San Ramon Measure N Here’s what San Ramon won’t tell you about Measure N: Measure N is a regressive tax — primarily hurting the middle class. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

There is a deeper explanation for this, which, in a crass, regressive move, the author waits a full 236 pages to reveal, and even then only via a leering, Crying Game–style focus on his genitalia. —Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 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