Thermidorian
Americannoun
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a member of the French moderate group who participated in the downfall of Robespierre and his followers on the 9th Thermidor (July 27th), 1794.
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a supporter of the reactionary movement following this coup d'état.
Etymology
Origin of Thermidorian
From the French word thermidorien, dating back to 1820–30. See Thermidor, -ian
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.
According to the authors, “HTS’s trajectory has revolved around two principal axes: an ideological realignment toward the center, and a Thermidorian shift” away from the revolution.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
If the conflicts ended with Robespierre’s death and the ensuing Thermidorian Reaction, characterized by a retreat from violent purges in 1794-95, fundamental instability persisted until Napoleon Bonaparte imposed order.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
Robespierre’s execution kicked off the Thermidorian Reaction, in which France returned to more conservative policies.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2023
Thermidorian Deputies are there in those soirees; Editor Freron, Orateur du Peuple; Barras, who has known other dances than the Carmagnole.
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
The Faubourg St. Germain mistrusted a woman whose chief friend was the wife of Thermidorian Tallien—Notre Dame de Septembre.
From Napoleon's Letters to Josephine by Hall, Henry Foljambe
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.
