regressive

[ ri-gres-iv ]
See synonyms for regressive on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. Biology. of, relating to, or effecting regression.

  1. (of tax) decreasing proportionately with an increase in the tax base.

  2. Logic. obtained from or characterized by backward reasoning.

Origin of regressive

1
First recorded in 1625–35; regress + -ive

Other words from regressive

  • re·gres·sive·ly, adverb
  • re·gres·sive·ness, re·gres·siv·i·ty [ree-gre-siv-i-tee], /ˌri grɛˈsɪv ɪ ti/, noun
  • non·re·gres·sive, adjective
  • non·re·gres·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·re·gres·sive, adjective
  • un·re·gres·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·re·gres·sive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for regressive

regressive

/ (rɪˈɡrɛsɪv) /


adjective
  1. regressing or tending to regress

  2. (of a tax or tax system) levied or graduated so that the rate decreases as the amount taxed increases: See progressive (def. 5)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of regression

Derived forms of regressive

  • regressively, adverb
  • regressiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012