progressive

adjective

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

Because of inflation, the minimum wage of $7.25 is worth about $6 today, said Judy Conti, government affairs director at the National Employment Law Project, which advocates for progressive labor policies. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "The federal minimum wage sets a record -- for not rising," 14 June 2019 In a graduated — or progressive — tax structure, people who earn more money pay higher rates on their income. — Ted Slowik, Daily Southtown, "Slowik: If we're voting on 'fair taxes,' why can't we vote to reduce pension benefits?," 14 June 2019 But supposedly progressive policies that restrict housing, increase the cost of living, and attract the homeless to migrate to cities are making these places increasingly inhospitable to middle-class and working families. — James Sutton, National Review, "Don’t Blame Big Tech for San Francisco’s Homelessness Crisis," 13 June 2019 Espinoza said the group wanted to get involved because Nirenberg was the candidate that would support more progressive causes. — Dylan Mcguinness, ExpressNews.com, "Outside groups spend more than $500k on San Antonio’s municipal runoffs," 6 June 2019 Blockers offers a surprisingly apt framing for a generational clash as old as time—the parents who think of themselves as progressive and cool, versus their mortified children who view them as anything but. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Blockers Is an R-Rated Prom-Night Comedy With Heart," 6 Apr. 2018 Macular degeneration is a common progressive eye condition, one that thins and breaks down a tissue behind the center of the retina. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "With Some Structure, Stem Cells Might Still Stop Vision Loss," 4 Apr. 2018 Augusta National Golf Club will host a new women’s amateur national championship beginning in 2019, a progressive move for a club that had no female members until 2012. — Brian Costa, WSJ, "Augusta National Will Host Women’s Amateur Event," 4 Apr. 2018 The museum that rose around that tragedy is an attempt to create something progressive and instructive out of that dark moment. — Dan Moran, Lake County News-Sun, "Moran: A visit to the Lorraine Motel delivered a timeless lesson about Martin Luther King Jr.," 3 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

There is division in the field between moderates and progressives. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Sanders' speech sparks debate on democratic socialism," 12 June 2019 But compelling rather than coaxing firms to give away shares to workers jeopardises a delicate compromise between progressives and conservatives that has historically helped advance the cause of employee ownership in the West. — The Economist, "Blue-collar capitalists," 8 June 2019 As the Republican establishment and conservative insurgents joust among themselves, so do establishment Democrats and progressives such as Ocasio-Cortez who were energized by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential candidacy in 2016. — Michael Smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Immigration reform seems impossible now ... and forever?," 1 July 2018 An organization that recruits young progressives to run in down-ballot races. — Glamour, "Here’s How You Can Help Women in States With Extreme Abortion Bans Right Now," 15 May 2019 Rouda's assessment of the national political scene is similar to the one informing radical progressives, while jibing with polls that show health care at or near the top of voters' minds. — David Wright, CNN, "It's health care, stupid! Democrats dig in as midterms ramp up," 31 May 2018 And with so much on the line in the 2018 midterms, progressives nationwide needed this win. — Glamour, "Beto’s Just Not Doing It for Me," 21 Mar. 2019 For progressives, the only thing worse than Starbucks founder Howard Schultz getting into the 2020 presidential race might be Donald Trump suffering a debilitating heart attack. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Howard Schultz Is Right About Medicare for All," 1 Feb. 2019 For progressives in the United States, Denmark seems like a socialist paradise. — Jillian Weinberger, Vox, "Denmark gives new fathers paid leave. Why do so few take it?," 14 Dec. 2018

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.