What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suppressive
Example
The police used suppressive tactics to control the protest. [suppressive: adjective]
Example
The doctor prescribed a suppressive drug to manage the patient's symptoms. [suppressive: adjective]
repressive
Example
The repressive government censored the media and suppressed dissent. [repressive: adjective]
Example
The repressive laws in the country limit freedom of speech and assembly. [repressive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repressive is more commonly used than suppressive in everyday language, especially in political or social contexts. Suppressive is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suppressive and repressive?
Both suppresssive and repressive are formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, repressive is often associated with more serious and severe situations, making it more formal and serious in tone than suppressive.
