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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Synonyms & Antonyms for progressive

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

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 Despite weeks of street protests over the killing of George Floyd and California’s reputation for progressive politics, a series of major police reforms proposed in Sacramento largely fizzled in 2020. — Los Angeles Times, "Most states have a system for ousting bad cops. In California, legislation is struggling," 1 May 2021 Portland is more widely known for its progressive politics and Nike than its strange, violent past. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "Big tech’s algorithms are not color blind," 23 Apr. 2021 Austin Head, an activist in the LGBTQ community and local progressive politics in Phoenix, died unexpectedly on April 8 at his home in Hollywood, California. — Delaney White, The Arizona Republic, "Austin Head, LGBTQ activist who ran for Phoenix City Council seat, dies at 37," 20 Apr. 2021 Increasingly, the ceremonies are less about entertainment honors and more about progressive politics, which inevitably annoys those in the audience who disagree. — New York Times, "The Oscars Are a Week Away, but How Many Will Watch?," 18 Apr. 2021 Now the agency appears to have expanded its mandate into progressive politics. — Joel Zinberg, National Review, "The CDC Shouldn’t Treat Racism as a Public-Health Crisis," 16 Apr. 2021 Duluth ranked near the top for him, particularly for its lack of climate risks and its relatively progressive politics. — John D. Sutter, CNN, "California wildfires. Hurricanes on the coast. Is anywhere safe from the climate crisis?," 12 Apr. 2021 Long known for its progressive politics and left-wing activism, Somerville would seem a natural place for socialists to make electoral inroads. — BostonGlobe.com, "Welcome to the socialist revolution in Somerville," 5 Apr. 2021 But the thrust of the hundreds of pages of course outlines is to enlist students in progressive politics. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "California’s Ethnic Studies Mandate," 16 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Negotiation and compromise would suggest the increasingly powerful but relatively unpopular progressive left isn’t driving everything. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Two Very Different but Plainspoken Speeches," 29 Apr. 2021 Republican senators asked whether Ms. Clarke supported defunding the police, a slogan and mission embraced by many on the progressive left to cut police budgets or even abolish police departments altogether. — New York Times, "Biden’s Choice for Civil Rights Post Has Worked to Defend Voting Rights," 14 Apr. 2021 Voters using the city's new nonpartisan election format in the March primary advanced Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer, another reform-minded progressive, to Tuesday's general election. — Jim Salter, Star Tribune, "Reform-minded leaders now at the helm in St. Louis," 9 Apr. 2021 The conservative appeal in this vein is distinct from the progressive. — Elizabeth Heng, National Review, "How Republicans Can Win in California," 24 Mar. 2021 Mr Manchin, a pro-coal, pro-God progressive of the old school, is certainly an outlier in the modern Democratic Party. — The Economist, "Lexington Joe Manchin, the wild man of the mountains," 13 Mar. 2021 Manchin said President Joe Biden warned him in a phone call that the progressive left in the House might balk if the bill were significantly trimmed. — BostonGlobe.com, "Manchin’s votes to make or break Senate reform," 27 Mar. 2021 The progressive left may have become more engaged with the Democratic Party, through figures like U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. — Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, "The Trump Presidency Is History. They’re Writing the First Draft.," 22 Mar. 2021 Dueling Plans Immediately after introducing his bill, Governor Cuomo’s plan attracted incoming fire from the progressive left. — Ben Curren, Forbes, "The Empire State Of Cannabis: Clues For The Congress In New York’s Legalization Debate," 1 Mar. 2021

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.