antifederalist
antifederalist Lexical Profile
antifederalist Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A member of the late 18th-century political movement in the United States that opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution and the creation of a powerful national government.
"Patrick Henry was a prominent Antifederalist who feared that the new executive branch would resemble a monarchy."
A person who opposes the political system of federalism, preferring greater autonomy for individual states or local governments over a strong central authority.
"As a committed antifederalist, the legislator argued that education policy should remain strictly within provincial jurisdiction."
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or supporting the political principles of antifederalism or its adherents.
"The delegates raised several antifederalist objections regarding the absence of an explicit bill of rights."
• Rhymes for antifederalist
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in American English in 1787 during the debates over the ratification of the United States Constitution, combining the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' with 'federalist' (from Latin 'foedus', meaning 'covenant' or 'league').