establishmentarian

American  

[ih-stab-lish-muhn-tair-ee-uhn] / ɪˌstæb lɪʃ mənˈtɛər i ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to an established church, especially the Church of England, or the principle of state religion.

2. (often initial capital letter) of, relating to, or favoring a political or social establishment.

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noun

1. a supporter or adherent of the principle of the establishment of a church by state law; an advocate of state religion.

2. (often initial capital letter) a person who belongs to or favors a political or social establishment.

establishmentarian British  

/ ɪˌstæblɪʃmənˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to an Established Church, esp the Church of England

2. denoting or relating to the principle of a Church being officially recognized as a national institution

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noun

1. an upholder of this principle, esp as applied to the Church of England

Other Word Forms

• establishmentarianism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of establishmentarian

First recorded in 1840–50; establishment + -arian

Example Sentences

He is devoutly religious with a deep libertarian streak, an establishmentarian who distrusts most of today’s establishments, and a traditionalist who is skeptical of the world’s oldest currency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Austin was just one of a sizable number of establishmentarian voices urging that the occupation be prolonged, in one form or another.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2021

It was establishmentarian, compromising and eventually, come the infernos at the close of the 1960s, it fell out of fashion, in part because it felt out of step with the urgency of the moment.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2020

He also sported an unidentifiable lapel pin: for an anti-establishment candidate, it was an unusually establishmentarian sartorial statement.

From The Guardian • Feb. 5, 2016

“It would say, ‘We’re ready to break our establishmentarian baton-passing.’

From Washington Post • Jun. 12, 2015