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
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
See all Example Sentences for regressive 
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.
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
See all Example Sentences for regressive
Dictionary Entries Near regressive
Cite this Entry
“Regressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regressive. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share