Other Word Forms
- antireformist noun
- reformism noun
Etymology
Origin of reformist
Explanation
In politics, someone who believes that a government or economy should be improved through gradual changes is a reformist. Reformists tend to focus on working within existing systems and pushing through small changes over time, even if they believe those systems need major repair and reform. In politics, they are often compared with revolutionaries, who advocate for completely overhauling broken governments or societies and replacing them with something new. The Latin root of reformist is reformare, "to form again."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 1988, he became education minister in the government of reformist prime minister Michel Rocard, setting up seven new universities within four years.
From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026
In 2003 he was released by the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, who had received pressure from parliamentarians to do so.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
Other prominent reformist politicians detained in recent days include Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former deputy foreign minister; and Ali Shakouri-Rad, a former lawmaker, according to official state media and reformist publications.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
Some in the reformist camp will look back on their party's controversial decision to back Anutin to become prime minister last September, after the fall of the second Pheu Thai administration.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
While we were not yet ready to announce such a suspension, we wanted to provide Mr. de Klerk with enough encouragement to pursue his reformist strategies.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
