progressive

Supporting political changes intended to make society fairer and improve people’s lives.

• She supports progressive politics.
• The party proposed progressive policies on housing.
• Progressive voters welcomed the new equality law.

Similar words: reformist, liberal

Opposites: conservative

Common phrases: progressive politics, progressive party, progressive policies

Supporting new ideas and changes that make things better.

• The company has a progressive approach to working hours.
• Her progressive ideas changed the industry.
• They wanted a more progressive style of management.

Similar words: forward-thinking, advanced

Opposites: conservative

Common phrases: progressive ideas, progressive approach, progressive company

Becoming worse over time, especially when describing an illness.

• He has a progressive disease.
• The condition caused progressive weakness in her legs.
• Progressive hearing loss can make conversation difficult.

Common phrases: progressive disease, progressive illness, progressive hearing loss

Taking a larger percentage in tax from people who earn more money.

• The country has a progressive tax system.
• Progressive taxation places higher rates on higher incomes.
• They debated whether the tax should be more progressive.

Opposites: regressive

Common phrases: progressive tax, progressive taxation, progressive tax system

Describing a verb form made with be and an -ing word, often showing an action in progress.

• Use the present progressive for an action happening now.
• The past progressive includes forms such as was sleeping.
• Which sentence uses a progressive verb form?

Similar words: continuous

Common phrases: present progressive, past progressive, progressive aspect

Describing education that lets children learn through their own interests, activities, and experiences.

• The school follows progressive teaching methods.
• Progressive education often includes learning through practical activities.
• Her children attend a progressive school.

Common phrases: progressive education, progressive school, progressive teaching

A person who supports political changes intended to make society fairer.

• She considers herself a progressive.
• Several progressives joined the campaign.
• The party’s progressives demanded stronger workers’ rights.

Similar words: reformist, liberal

Opposites: conservative

Common phrases: a committed progressive, political progressive