Usage Note
Oppressant describes something that weighs heavily on the mind or body — heat, silence, an atmosphere: une chaleur oppressante ('an oppressive heat'). The feminine form is oppressante. It is related to opprimer ('to oppress people') and oppresser ('to cause a feeling of tightness in the chest'); the noun oppression covers both senses.
Examples
"Le silence était lourd et oppressant."
Natural Translation
The silence was heavy and oppressive.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
