regressive

Definitions

Becoming less advanced; returning to a former or less developed state.

Relating to a tax that takes a larger percentage of income from low-income earners than from high-income earners.

Examples

Many economists argue that a flat tax rate is regressive because it places a heavier burden on low-income earners.

The new policy was criticized as a regressive step that undoes years of progress in environmental protection.

Synonyms

retrograde reactionary backward reverting declining atavistic conservative

Antonyms

progressive advanced forward modern improving liberal developing