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

In 2017, a previous Social Democrat government tried to decriminalise abuse of office offences leading to damages of under 200,000 lei via emergency decree.

From Reuters

She became the world's youngest prime minister aged 34, when her Social Democrat predecessor resigned.

From BBC

Scholz, the centre-left Social Democrat candidate to succeed conservative Angela Merkel as chancellor in a September election, has proposed suspending the debt brake for a third year in a row in 2022 to allow additional borrowing of nearly 100 billion euros next year.

From Reuters

In a direct vote for chancellor, Laschet would only get 15%, down five points from last week, compared with 21% for his Social Democrat rival, Olaf Scholz, the poll showed.

From Reuters

Much of that money will flow through the finance ministry run by Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, who is also running for chancellor.

From New York Times