Thermidorian

American  

[thur-mi-dawr-ee-uhn, -dohr-] / ˌθɜr mɪˈdɔr i ən, -ˈdoʊr- /

Or Thermidorean

noun

1. a member of the French moderate group who participated in the downfall of Robespierre and his followers on the 9th Thermidor (July 27th), 1794.

2. a supporter of the reactionary movement following this coup d'état.

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Etymology

Origin of Thermidorian

From the French word thermidorien, dating back to 1820–30. See Thermidor, -ian

Example Sentences

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

During the Thermidorian reaction he was one of the first to be accused of complicity with the fallen leader, but was acquitted.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

From the day after the 9th of Thermidor there were, therefore, two opposite parties among the conquerors, that of the committees, and that of the Mountain, which was called the Thermidorian party.

From History of the French Revolution from 1789 to 1814 by Mignet, M. (François-Auguste-Marie-Alexis)