Synonyms of progressive

progressive 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈgre-siv 

1

as in advanced

being far along in development

progressive forms of animal life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advanced
• higher
• evolved
• improved
• high
• developed
• modern
• late
• educated
• enhanced
• forward
• refined
• new
• contemporary
• newest
• enlightened
• precocious
• civilized
• latest
• current
• recent
• full-scale
• ripe
• grown
• mature
• matured
• full-blown
• full-fledged
• aged
• novel
• ultramodern
• perfected
• present-day
• newfangled
• ripened
• up-to-date
• cutting-edge
• leading-edge
• now
• new-fashioned
• supermodern
• mod
• space-age

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lower
• primitive
• backward
• nonprogressive
• low
• rudimentary
• undeveloped
• green
• rude
• immature
• underdeveloped
• savage
• undersized
• early
• uneducated
• underweight
• unripe
• uncivilized
• embryonic
• old
• unripened
• primordial
• primeval
• past
• germinal
• obsolete
• antiquated
• old-fashioned
• old-time
• antique
• antediluvian
• hoary
• out-of-date
• Neanderthal
• outworn
• musty
• fusty
• dated
• passé
• oldfangled

2

as in liberal

not bound by traditional ways or beliefs

a socially progressive community, it was the first to provide for the public education of girls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• liberal
• modern
• unconventional
• radical
• contemporary
• nontraditional
• nonconventional
• advanced
• unorthodox
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• nonorthodox
• extreme
• permissive
• tolerant
• lenient
• impartial
• large-minded
• unbiased
• forbearing
• indulgent
• objective

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conservative
• traditional
• conventional
• orthodox
• rigid
• old-fashioned
• strict
• hard
• nonprogressive
• dogmatic
• stodgy
• doctrinal
• hidebound
• reactionary
• intolerant
• bigoted
• blinkered
• narrow-minded
• unreconstructed

3

as in pioneering

being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques

one of the founders of progressive dance, Isadora Duncan became an inspiration to an array of free-spirited artists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advanced
• pioneering
• unconventional
• modern
• contemporary
• revolutionary
• new
• avant
• original
• underground
• cutting-edge
• avant-garde
• state-of-the-art
• current
• alternative
• strange
• bizarre
• modernistic
• nontraditional
• antiestablishment
• novel
• trailblazing
• unprecedented
• unfamiliar
• fresh
• outré
• unknown
• unheard-of
• way-out
• hot
• ultramodern
• present-day
• newfangled
• up-to-date
• unaccustomed
• far-out
• new-fashioned
• mod
• red-hot
• space-age

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• traditional
• conventional
• customary
• established
• orthodox

progressive

2 of 2

noun

as in moderate

Related Words

• moderate
• reformer
• centrist
• middle-of-the-roader
• compromiser
• accommodationist

Dissimilar Words

• revolutionary
• extremist
• conservative
• revolutionist
• liberal
• reactionary
• radical
• rightist
• leftist
• ultraist
• right-winger
• left-winger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of progressive

Adjective

Meanwhile, a number of progressive Jewish Floridians have pointed to Nixon’s Israel stance as one of their reasons for supporting her. — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Bass is not particularly impressed by the younger generation of progressive activists in Los Angeles. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

Sanders, arguably the most famous progressive nationwide, is rallying in El Paso on Monday as part of an effort to boost Democratic candidates in competitive races in Texas. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Trump carried Michigan in 2024, albeit narrowly, and El-Sayed is a progressive who has never held elective office. — Susan Page, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026