regressive

Borrowed from Latin regressīvus, equivalent to regress +‎ -ive.

• Rhymes: -ɛsɪv

regressive (comparative more regressive, superlative most regressive)

1. That tends to return, revert or regress.
   • 1981 December 27, Wade Nichols, “Victorian Imperialism”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 23, page 5:

     Some say history repeats itself, that time is cyclical. Others cling to the notion of progress and change over time. Apparently Nancy Walker marches to a different drummer — marches backwards, that is. Her ideas on art and society seem quaint and odd on the one hand and, on the other, petty and regressive.

   • 2023 February 8, Arwa Mahdawi, “People like Harry Styles don’t get awards? Pah!”, in G2 (w:The Guardian), London, page 3:

     He likes experimenting with flamboyant clothes! That’s it! It’s weird and regressive to think that means he is making a statement about his sexual orientation or gender identity. Let the man wear his “clowncore” jumpsuits in peace.

2. (of a tax) Whose rate decreases as the taxed amount increases.

• progressive

• regress
• regression

• “regressive”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “regressive”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “regressive”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

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regressive

1. inflection of regressiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

regressive f pl

1. feminine plural of regressivo