Antifederalist

[ an-tee-fed-er-uh-list, -fed-ruh-, an-tahy- ]

noun

1. U.S. History. a member or supporter of the Antifederal party.
2. (lowercase) an opponent of federalism.

Antifederalist

/ -ˈfɛdrə-; ˌæntɪˈfɛdərəlɪst /

noun

1. history a person who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1789 and thereafter allied with Thomas Jefferson's Antifederal Party, which opposed extension of the powers of the federal Government
2. often not capital any person who opposes federalism

Other Words From

• Anti·feder·al·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Antifederalist¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; anti- + federalist

Example Sentences

After this the Antifederalist forces were confused and easily routed.

From Project Gutenberg