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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

Pedro Porro: The World Cup winner played further forward on the right wing and had a couple of openings, seeing a shot blocked by Hall and a dipping volley go just over.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Little is known about Graham—or, apparently, by Graham—and it’s not as if the state’s right wing was ever adoring of her late brother.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

Minteh, who joined Brighton from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, plays primarily on the right wing and has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 73 appearances for the Seagulls.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

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

The Mellower plucked them out of the right wing when he remembered.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

CBS also boosted another El-Sayed tweet that was first revealed by the Washington Free Beacon, a right-wing outlet claiming to cover “the enemies of freedom.”

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026

The city, whose indigenous name—“the place where the fish stops”—comes from its river rapids, gave Brazil’s right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro, 79% of the vote in 2018.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

In an article in the right-wing Times daily headlined "Was it wrong to write so much about Jason Arday?" journalist Sarah Ditum defended her reporting.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

But Engels, who can play in midfield, right-back or right-wing, will not be available to make his debut until the home league derby against Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on Saturday, 22 August.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 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