Definition of "regressive" []

• Tending to return or revert. (adjective)
• Characterized by regression or a tendency to regress. (adjective)
• Decreasing proportionately as the amount taxed increases: a regressive tax. (adjective)
• Of or relating to geological regression. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He also said his party wanted to provide funding for education but cautioned against what he called a "regressive" tax increase."
• "They said Ottawa has made some positive financial decisions, but cities still face the need to upgrade aging roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems while remaining dependent on property tax revenue, which they called regressive and inadequate."
• "Health care positively has the lot to do with which in regressive N. Dakota, nonetheless the state is an anomaly: all 3 congressional seats have been reason by sincerely liberal Democrats."