reformist

[ri-fawr-mist]

noun

1. a person who advocates or practices reform; reformer.

2. a member of any reformed reformed denomination.

adjective

1. Also reformistic. of or belonging to a movement for reform.

Other Word Forms

• reformism noun
• antireformist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reformist¹

First recorded in 1580–90; reform + -ist

Example Sentences

Lincoln’s assassination the following month devastated Douglass and intensified his reformist drive.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Tuesday, the reformist Shargh newspaper said skipping the summit showed "passivity, a lack of initiative and a loss of opportunity in foreign policy".

Read more on Barron's

But his reformist leanings eventually made him a target for Ceausescu, who marginalised him from the party's upper ranks.

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Gone are Gascón’s reformist policies discouraging the use of cash bail and limiting the use of sentencing enhancements.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Once hailed as part of a new generation of reformist African leaders, Eritrea's president, who recently marked 32 years in power, has long defied expectations.

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Related Words

• forward-looking 
• forward-thinking 
• left 
• left of center 
• leftist 
• liberal