social democrat

American  

noun

1. a person who advocates a gradual transition to socialism or a modified form of socialism by and under democratic political processes.

2. Social Democrat. (especially in Europe) a member of any of certain Social Democratic parties.

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social democrat British  

noun

1. any socialist who believes in the gradual transformation of capitalism into democratic socialism

2. (usually capital) a member of a Social Democratic Party

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Etymology

Origin of social democrat

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

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

• social democrat vs. democratic socialism

Example Sentences

“That changed everything,” said David Brauer, a retired journalist who wrote for Minneapolis publications and who identifies as a center-left social democrat.

From Slate • Nov. 3, 2025

Chancellor Scholz – a social democrat whose coalition government collapsed last year – castigated Merz for his actions.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2025

His replacement after 13 years in office could be the country’s first female premier or a social democrat who left his job as the European Union’s climate czar to return to national politics.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

But the company, founded by a former social democrat politician Ilija Batljan, built up vast debts buying public property including social housing, government offices, schools and hospitals.

From Reuters • Jul. 13, 2023

He does it out of fear—fear of the social democrat.

From Thoughts out of Season Part I by Ludovici, Anthony M. (Anthony Mario)