progressive

adjective

Save Word

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 Phrases Containing progressive Learn More About progressive

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 Schrader, a veterinarian and former state lawmaker, has alienated progressive members of his party over the course of his last term. — Gillian Flaccus, ajc, 13 May 2022 Once the brake system starts to build some heat, though, the pedal action becomes more progressive. — Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 13 May 2022 John-Henry Heckendorn, a progressive political consultant, said in a message. — Nathaniel Herz, Anchorage Daily News, 12 May 2022 These British progressive rockers, featuring drummer Gavin Harrison, have released 13 albums since their debut in 1999. — cleveland, 12 May 2022 On the Democratic side, what can’t be discussed is what the progressive movement is doing to the party and its prospects. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 12 May 2022 The lawsuit was settled last August, two weeks after progressive immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros announced a second run against the longtime Laredo congressman. — Benjamin Wermund, San Antonio Express-News, 12 May 2022 Many progressive lawmakers have called on the White House to cancel at least $50,000 in debt per borrower, if not the entire loan portfolio held by the Education Department, which totals more than $1.6 trillion. — Nancy Cook, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 The risk of making progressive and prescient art is that you may be unappreciated in your lifetime. — Max Bell, SPIN, 11 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The scales right now are tipped very heavily in favor of the reforms of the progressive left. — ABC News, 17 Apr. 2022 Michelle Wu, a 36-year-old progressive and Elizabeth Warren mentee, won the seat decisively. — Kristen Bellstrom, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2021 Senators as ideologically diverse as Raphael Warnock of Georgia, a progressive, and Jon Tester of Montana, a centrist, warned what might happen if the party did not act. — New York Times, 1 June 2021 Casar is a progressive backed by the Justice Democrats group, which has also backed Cisneros. — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2022 Roughly 7 in 10 said being a progressive in politics was either very important or somewhat important to them. — Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2022 Merrick Garland held when he was nominated for the Supreme Court, is a very impressive progressive. — The Editors, National Review, 29 Jan. 2022 Marina Dimitrijevic is a progressive in her first term on the Common Council representing the 14th Aldermanic District on the south side. — D. Kwas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2022 And polls reveal Biden's surest path to broader popularity involves tracking away from the progressive left and boldly embracing the ideological center. — Damon Linker, The Week, 12 Jan. 2022 See More

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.