reformist
reformist Lexical Profile
reformist Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Supporting or advancing gradual social, political, or institutional reform rather than abolition or revolution.
"The new prime minister introduced a reformist agenda aimed at modernizing the healthcare system."
• noun
A person who advocates for gradual reform of an existing system, institution, or society rather than its revolutionary overthrow.
"Party moderates and reformists argued that constitutional amendments were the most practical path forward."
Word Nuance & Usage
In political philosophy, "reformist" is often contrasted with "revolutionary"—a reformist seeks gradual change within an existing system, whereas a revolutionary seeks to overthrow the system entirely.
• Rhymes for reformist
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century from the noun "reform" (ultimately from Latin "reformare", meaning "to form again") plus the agent suffix "-ist".