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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

Etymology

Origin of right wing

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

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

• left wing vs. right wing

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right wing right-wing

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

"A few years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a bit more on the right wing and he has transitioned more into the middle."

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

He pulled Messi off the right wing and placed him at the tip of the forward formation - but without the job of a traditional striker.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

A shot from Colton Sissons on the right wing ricocheted off Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba and went straight to Marner, who was charging into the slot.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026

He stripped his man clean in the open court, raced down the right wing and did this nasty reverse dunk.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

Trump has also heard recently from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who reversed her longstanding criticism of Ukraine after traveling to Kyiv and interviewing Zelensky.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Police have been given more time to question the men arrested in connection with an alleged right-wing terror threat to an Islamic festival in Suffolk.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

The Onion is seeking a license to operate Infowars as a parody site while right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ company faces liquidation for owing Sandy Hook families over $1 billion in defamation damages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

The man accused of murdering influential right-wing campaigner Charlie Kirk broke down in tears of regret days after the killing, according to video testimony played in a US court on Thursday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

It was clear that he knew almost nothing about the ANC, and what he did know was gleaned from the propaganda of the right-wing press.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela