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 legislation compounds the regressive nature of the Trump administration’s recent tariff policies, economists said.
—
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Spread it around Twitter where the console wars are still kept alive via delusion, sadness and regressive human thinking.
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
There is something regressive, even nationalist, about entertaining the notion of aesthetic perfection, let alone striving after it.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
Lastly, the report raises valid concerns about the regressive nature of the property tax system but offers no practical or comprehensive solutions.
—George Cardenas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
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.
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Spread it around Twitter where the console wars are still kept alive via delusion, sadness and regressive human thinking.
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
There is something regressive, even nationalist, about entertaining the notion of aesthetic perfection, let alone striving after it.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
Lastly, the report raises valid concerns about the regressive nature of the property tax system but offers no practical or comprehensive solutions.
—George Cardenas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 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 31 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share