From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishregressivere‧gres‧sive /rɪˈɡresɪv/ adjective returning to an earlier, less advanced state, or causing something to do this – used to show disapproval OPP progressive Many considered the changes to the welfare laws a regressive step.
Examples from the Corpus
regressive• The tax system as a whole has thus become both increasingly regressive and increasingly unsupportive of family formation.• Non-domestic rates are also regressive but various measures have sought to ease the burden.• This is a regressive income tax.• Here, in the regressive, infantile wish for the perfect parent of early childhood lies the germ of the police state.• Shortly after this regressive move the post was cut completely.• Any flat tax is inherently unfair, as are all regressive taxes.• It is reactionary and regressive to pretend that television does not exist.• Here are the roots of the regressive trends in adolescence and in adult life. 