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• right wing
  right wing

  noun

  members of a conservative or reactionary political party, or those opposing extensive political reform.
• right-wing
  right-wing

  A descriptive term for conservative or reactionary political views, particularly those supporting the current social order or calling for a return to an earlier order. Right-wing groups are sometimes known collectively as the Right. (Compare left-wing.)

right wing

American  

noun

• right wings
  plural

1. members of a conservative or reactionary political party, or those opposing extensive political reform.

2. such a political party or a group of such parties.

3. that part of a political or social organization advocating a conservative or reactionary position.

   The union's right wing favored a moderate course of action.

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right wing British  

noun

1. (often capitals) the conservative faction of an assembly, party, etc

2. the part of an army or field of battle on the right from the point of view of one facing the enemy

3. 1. the right-hand side of the field of play from the point of view of a team facing its opponent's goal

   2. a player positioned in this area in any of various games

   3. the position occupied by such a player

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adjective

1. of, belonging to, or relating to the right wing

right-wing ¹ Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for conservative or reactionary political views, particularly those supporting the current social order or calling for a return to an earlier order. Right-wing groups are sometimes known collectively as the Right. (Compare left-wing.)

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right-wing ² Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for an individual or a political faction that advocates very conservative policies. Right-wing groups generally support free enterprise. In the United States, the right wing generally argues for a strong national defense program and opposes federal involvement in promoting social welfare. (Compare left-wing.)

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Discover More

Although both major political parties in the United States have right-wing factions, right-wing policies are usually associated with the Republican party.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• right-winger
  noun
• right-wing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• right wings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of right wing

First recorded in 1930–35

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Compare meaning

How does right-wing compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• left wing vs. right wing

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right wing right-wing

“I am neither the right wing nor the left wing,” she said, quoting what she described as an Indian proverb.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

The sequence started with Seattle’s Peter Kingston, another second-half substitute, weaving through traffic on a long run up the right wing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

Little is known about Graham—or, apparently, by Graham—and it’s not as if the state’s right wing was ever adoring of her late brother.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

Roaming Spain’s right wing, Yamal caused enough problems for France that he drew a penalty kick in the 22nd minute.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

The Ngong Hills appear under the right wing, and the plane, now descending, passes over parkland dotted with zebra and giraffes.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Both she and Bruno Retailleau, head of the right-wing Republicans, described images of the officer in flames as "unbearable".

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

To these reliably right-wing Mizrahi voters, the real contest is inside Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, says sociologist Nissim Leon, at Bar-Ilan University.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

She’s repeatedly told me that El-Sayed seems like an overly masculine guy who’s doing a right-wing machismo act.

From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026

“In general, 20- to 21-year-old guys are just statistically more right-wing than girls are at this age,” said Roth, who is now a junior.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

The agreement infuriated Chief Buthelezi, who severed relations with the NP and formed an alliance with a group of discredited homeland leaders and white right-wing parties solely concerned with obtaining an Afrikaner homeland.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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