Other Word Forms
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.
Two of the detained reformist leaders—Javad Emam, the Reformist Front’s spokesman and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, the head of its political committee—were released on bail on Thursday, according to Iranian state media.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
The arrest of Reformist Front spokesman Emam followed those on Sunday of three other figures, including Azar Mansouri, who has led the coalition since 2023.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
Reformist ministers and advisers promoting the initial IMF-backed recovery plan say they faced resistance and animosity.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023
Reformist lawmaker Parvaneh Salahshouri said coercion does not work.
From Washington Times • Jul. 15, 2019
I was under the impression that the idea of the Reformist banquet in the Champs-�lys�es had been abandoned, so there will be no occasion for them to parade?
From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.
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.
