progressive

pro·gres·sive | \ prə-ˈgre-siv

Definition of progressive

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of, relating to, or characterized by progress

b : making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities

c : of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression

2 : of, relating to, or characterized by progression

3 : moving forward or onward : advancing

4a : increasing in extent or severity a progressive disease

b : increasing in rate as the base increases a progressive tax

5 often capitalized : of or relating to political Progressives

6 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb form that expresses action or state in progress at the time of speaking or a time spoken of

7 : of, relating to, or being a multifocal lens with a gradual transition between focal lengths progressive bifocals

8 : or, relating to, or using a method of video scanning (as for television or a computer monitor) in which the horizontal lines of each frame are drawn successively from top to bottom — compare interlaced

progressive

noun

Definition of progressive (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : one that is progressive

b : one believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action

2 capitalized : a member of any of various U.S. political parties: such as

a : a member of a predominantly agrarian minor party that around 1912 split off from the Republicans specifically : bull moose

b : a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign of 1924

c : a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential campaign of 1948

Other Words from progressive Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about progressive

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Examples of progressive in a Sentence

Adjective the progressive movements of the hands of a clock progressive forms of animal life Noun “Believe” is never used in the progressive.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The debate was the first since a progressive feud erupted on national television between Sanders and Warren. — oregonlive, "Who won New Hampshire’s Democratic debate? Vote here," 8 Feb. 2020 The Court’s conservatives deferred to the Constitution and rule of law over newfound progressive disdain for executive power. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump Travel Ban, Part II," 8 Feb. 2020 Warren is seen as a bridge between the progressive Sanders and a non-traditional candidate like Buttigieg, Baer-Bositis said. — Fortune, "Tonight’s Democratic debate: How to watch, start time—and 4 key issues to watch for during it," 7 Feb. 2020 Because the 2020 field is busier, including a competitor for progressive votes in Elizabeth Warren, another bloodbath is unlikely. — Alexander Zaitchik, The New Republic, "This Is How Bernie Wins," 7 Feb. 2020 Politics shift towards the progressive and away from calcified ideas that have outlived their usefulness. — Amelia Quint, Allure, "How to Prepare Your Career and Love Life For 2020's Great Conjunction," 6 Feb. 2020 The progressive values of Douglas may been the product of his upbringing, as the poor child of Jewish immigrants from what's now Belarus — his birth name was Issur Danielovitch — who grew up in Amsterdam, New York. — Adam Howard, NBC News, "Kirk Douglas, legendary Hollywood tough guy, dead at 103," 5 Feb. 2020 Meanwhile, Kenya’s progressive, hard-won 2010 constitution defines the nation not on the basis of tribe, but on the basis of values like equality, democracy, and social justice. — Wired Opinion, Wired, "Digital IDs Make Systemic Bias Worse," 5 Feb. 2020 Over time the organisation moved away from its revolutionary and progressive political objectives. — Mulugeta G Berhe (phd), Quartz Africa, "Ethiopia’s dramatic political and economic transformation has left it with deep uncertainty," 3 Feb. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Barr attack reformers Most progressives eschew the tough-on-crime stance promoted by Trump and Attorney General Barr. — Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, "Some new prosecutors are anti jail, and it's angering police who warn approach will lead to chaos," 9 Feb. 2020 Mainstream progressives have long shunned the radical organization, calling it a discriminatory, right-wing group disguised as feminist. — Washington Post, "Conservatives find unlikely ally in fighting transgender rights: radical feminists," 7 Feb. 2020 It's been a tight race pitting moderates against progressives. — CBS News, "Iowa caucuses: Live updates as Democrats face their first test," 3 Feb. 2020 Traditionalists saw the proposal as a backdoor move by which progressives would engineer an eventual end to mandatory celibacy worldwide. — Paul Elie, The New Yorker, "“The Two Popes” Gives Way to Pope vs. Pope on the Issue of Celibacy in the Priesthood," 2 Feb. 2020 Regardless of what progressives would like to think, by this ostensibly commonsensical measure, most black and Latino Americans can be safely defined as conservative. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, Harper's magazine, "An Incoherent Truth," 20 Jan. 2020 Some progressives in the Democratic Party want Neil out. — Scott Wartman, Cincinnati.com, "Will the local Democrats endorse in the primary? We'll find out Saturday morning in what could be a heated meeting.," 18 Jan. 2020 The raging irrational and humorless mob — absolutely militant against people and artefacts that challenge their assumptions — are no longer Christians, but progressives. — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, "Twitter Outrage at the Church of England’s Views on Sex," 24 Jan. 2020 The reports—which emerged at a point when progressives were said to be moving support from Warren to Sanders—immediately became the subject of criticism from those sympathetic to the Sanders campaign, with a lot of pushback happening on Twitter. — Graeme Mcmillan, Wired, "While You Were Offline: Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren's Big Debate Dust-Up," 19 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'progressive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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