progressive

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adjective pro·gres·sive \ prə-ˈgre-siv \

Definition of progressive

1 a :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

4 a :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

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progressively

adverb

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progressiveness

noun

See progressive defined for English-language learners

See progressive defined for kids

Examples of progressive in a Sentence

the progressive movements of the hands of a clock
progressive forms of animal life

Recent Examples of progressive from the Web

Margaret Cho is a Democrat who spoke just last week about her support of progressive issues.

— lily herman, Teen Vogue, "Arizona Republican Party Used a Sitcom Stock Photo to Represent Asian-Americans," 23 Aug. 2017
While plenty have applauded, especially progressive Catholics, he's been barraged from the right, from conservative Catholics who denounce his embrace of the LGBT community, anathema to strict church doctrine.

— barbara mahany, chicagotribune.com, "James Martin's controversial 'Building a Bridge' leads this week's spiritual roundup," 22 Aug. 2017
Finally, others yet may assert that the United States has an ethical debt to all those progressive Afghans who fought alongside the coalition.

— barry r. posen, The Atlantic, "It's Time To Make Afghanistan Someone Else's Problem," 18 Aug. 2017
CNN has fired commentator Jeffrey Lord following his reference to a Nazi salute during a Twitter argument with the president of progressive media watchdog Media Matters.

— derek lawrence, EW.com, "CNN fires Jeffrey Lord after Nazi salute tweet," 10 Aug. 2017
Inmates use meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery and progressive relaxation, which Kahler said has been beneficial in reducing anxiety without the use of drugs.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford jail unit aids inmates serious about recovery from addiction," 7 Aug. 2017
Their wins could help create a powerful progressive coalition among the nations’ top-city mayors.

— glynda carr, Essence.com, "Getting Out Of The ‘Sunken Place’ Of Politics: Black Women Are Key To Future Progressive Wins," 25 July 2017
In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Harris, a progressive Democrat from California, and Paul, a libertarian Republican from Kentucky, said the current system disproportionately impacts people of color and the poor.

— daniela altimari, courant.com, "Bail Reform Goes National," 20 July 2017
Egged on by such figures as Mrs Warren, progressive groups threatened to mount primary challenges against any Democrats who voted with the Republicans, even on such bills as Mr Trump’s (more modest than expected) infrastructure plan.

— The Economist, "If Donald Trump won a second termSuppose the Trump show runs and runs," 13 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of progressive

14th century

progressive Synonyms

Synonyms

developed, evolved, forward, high, higher, improved, late, advanced, refined

progressive

noun

Definition of progressive

1 a :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

See progressive defined for English-language learners

Examples of progressive in a Sentence

“Believe” is never used in the progressive.

Recent Examples of progressive from the Web

By tweeting #ThisIsNotUS, Lady Gaga and other white progressives ignore just how very much this is the United States.

— lara witt, Harper's BAZAAR, "White Liberals Still Don’t Understand White Supremacy," 16 Aug. 2017
That made him an anomaly for his era: a 2000s progressive who rooted his singing in the tenets of 1980s and 1990s rock, and someone who knew how to extract feeling both from careful whispers and gnarled yelps.

— jillian selzer, Cosmopolitan, "Fans, Music Critics Share Heart-Wrenching Tributes to Chester Bennington," 24 July 2017
Kevin, however, has a history of trolling progressives and mocking their views on his YouTube channel.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Over 500 Students Were Allegedly Abused at This German Music School," 19 July 2017
CL: You’re right that progressives are responding to crises.

— Longreads, "An Unforgiving Legal System Welcomes Black Immigrants to America," 10 July 2017
Progressive wins aside, Peak TV is also very much here to stay.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 14 Best TV Shows Of 2017 (So Far)," 27 June 2017
For progressives, the answer to this problem is clear: a boldly liberal message that attacks big corporations and Wall Street and calls for a significant increase in government's role in reducing income and wealth inequality.

— dan balz, chicagotribune.com, "Beyond opposing Trump, Democrats keep searching for a message," 24 June 2017
For decades, those foundations and others had financed nonprofit organizations that promoted free enterprise and small government and opposed the environmental movement and other issues favored by progressives.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Meet the 'shadow' network of charities, political warriors behind Trump's rise," 4 June 2017
As opposition builds over congressional efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, progressives in California and New York have responded to the ACA repeal threat by crafting proposals for universal coverage.

— chad terhune, Kaiser Health News, "California’s New Single-Payer Proposal Embraces Some Costly Old Ways," 31 May 2017

First Known Use of progressive

1844

PROGRESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

progressive

play

adjective

Definition of progressive for English Language Learners

: moving forward
: happening or developing gradually over a period of time
: using or interested in new or modern ideas especially in politics and education

progressive

noun

Definition of progressive for English Language Learners

: a person who favors new or modern ideas especially in politics and education

PROGRESSIVE Defined for Kids

progressive

play

adjective pro·gres·sive \ prə-ˈgre-siv \

Definition of progressive for Students

1 :of, relating to, or showing advancement

a progressive city

2 :taking place gradually or step by step

a progressive disease

3 :favoring gradual political change and social improvement by action of the government

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progressively

adverb

Medical Dictionary

progressive

play

adjective pro·gres·sive \ prə-ˈgres-iv \

medical Definition of progressive

1 :increasing in extent or severity

a progressive disease

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

progressive bifocals

—

progressively

adverb

Law Dictionary

progressive

adjective pro·gres·sive

legal Definition of progressive

:increasing in rate as the base increases

a progressive tax

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progressive

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PROGRESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

progressive

Definition of progressive for English Language Learners

progressive

Definition of progressive for English Language Learners

PROGRESSIVE Defined for Kids

progressive

Definition of progressive for Students

progressively

Medical Dictionary

progressive

medical Definition of progressive

progressively

Law Dictionary

progressive

legal Definition of progressive

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