progressive

adjective

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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 once most frequently mentioned early pick to head the Transportation Department, President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff and ex-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, sparked strong pushback from top progressive activists. — Michael Balsamo, Anchorage Daily News, "Biden to announce Buttigieg as transportation secretary, officials say," 15 Dec. 2020 Having won the primary as the most moderate figure onstage, Biden adopted a much more progressive agenda in the general election. — Benjamin Wallace-wells, The New Yorker, "The Distinct Political Paths of Barack Obama and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez," 10 Dec. 2020 Trudeau’s government is trying to keep the economy flush with cash during the pandemic while financing an ever-expanding progressive agenda, all without scaring investors and voters with soaring debt. — Kait Bolongaro, Bloomberg.com, "Trudeau’s Finance Shake-Up Signals Full Steam Ahead on Spending," 8 Dec. 2020 Wariness among those not aligned with his progressive agenda gave way to something closer to panic after Gascón spoke Monday. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, "On first day as L.A. County D.A., George Gascón eliminates bail, remakes sentencing rules," 7 Dec. 2020 For the party’s left wing, the potential limits on a progressive agenda have not dampened the resolve. — New York Times, "‘Georgia Is Not New York’: Progressives Adapt Efforts for Senate Runoffs," 1 Dec. 2020 Some climate activists argue that BlackRock, by idly owning many fossil-fuel companies, is making global warming worse; progressive activists take issue with its attempt to relax financial regulation. — Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, "The Weekly Planet: The Best Way to Donate to Fight Climate Change (Probably)," 1 Dec. 2020 Since becoming the youngest woman elected to Congress, Ocasio-Cortez not only pushed a progressive agenda but also proved that fashion can be political. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, "Lizzo, Harry Styles & AOC Are 2020’s Most Fashionable Celebrities," 20 Nov. 2020 In the event that Republicans hold the Senate and block much of his progressive legislative agenda, lessening student debt is one of the biggest goals Biden could pursue unilaterally. — Nihal Krishan, Washington Examiner, "Biden student debt forgiveness plan favors high earners," 19 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Sidney Smyer was not what anyone would consider a progressive, a liberal or a radical. — Kyle Whitmire | Kwhitmire@al.com, al, "Hey, Big Mules! Quit financing crackpots like Mo Brooks," 9 Jan. 2021 There was a person of color who’s a progressive on the ballot. — George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Picking two senators is too much. Here’s how Newsom could handle the situation," 21 Dec. 2020 Yet student debt is not the only aspect of education where progressive-sounding Democratic rhetoric masks big-government policies that favor the well-off. — Brad Polumbo, National Review, "Canceling Student Debt and Other Regressive Education Policies," 3 Dec. 2020 Brexit was said to reveal divisions between urban, pro-European progressive elites and more traditionally minded voters. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Britain Already Is Beyond Brexit," 17 Dec. 2020 Boylan, who describes herself as a progressive on her Twitter account, worked for the governor's administration from 2015 to 2018, according to her LinkedIn profile. — Evie Fordham, Fox News, "Former aide says Cuomo sexually harassed her 'for years'," 14 Dec. 2020 This News, a progressive-leaning news outlet, narrows in on Pearl Harbor, noting that the surprise strike on a U.S. naval base in 1941 killed over 2,400 service members and civilians. — Ella Lee, USA TODAY, "Fact check: US COVID-19 deaths from Dec. 1-5 rival the toll from the Pearl Harbor attack," 10 Dec. 2020 Though Trump attempted to caricature Harris during the campaign as a leftist who would dominate Biden and turn the country into a socialist republic, she is hardly viewed within the party as a movement progressive. — Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, "Kamala Harris is on the cusp of power but has to tread carefully," 6 Dec. 2020 The legal aid attorney and pro-transit, pro-bicycling progressive had booked space at the Sheraton Hotel Emeryville. — Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, "The party is ending, and America remains divided. Is the dream of unity over?," 11 Nov. 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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