reformist

[ ri-fawr-mist ]

noun

1. a person who advocates or practices reform; reformer.
2. a member of any reformed reformed denomination.

adjective

1. Also re·form·istic. of or belonging to a movement for reform.

Other Words From

• re·formism noun
• anti·re·formist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reformist¹

First recorded in 1580–90; reform + -ist

Example Sentences

As well as this, authoritarian repression has only increased under eight-years of the so-called reformist presidency of Hassan Rouhani.

From Time

Hardliners at the KGB had staged a coup that August, seeking to overthrow the government of Mikhail Gorbachev, the reformist General Secretary of the Communist Party.

From TIme

When the election ended — and a reformist, Aisha Braveboy, won — so did the coalition’s court-watching.

From Washington Post

In interviews with local news organizations, he has echoed the language that activists and reformists have used when talking about reimagining public safety.

From Washington Post

During the early 2000s, she found herself caught up in what’s known as the “Math Wars,” a debate over the math curriculum between reformists and traditionalists.

From Freakonomics

Then, in late 1991, the dreams of reformist socialism crashed with the end of the Soviet Union.

From The Daily Beast

Even so I would say we do need a conservative tendency in ours or any society as a check against reformist over-zeal.

From The Daily Beast

This week, Francis called his group of eight reformist cardinals to the Holy See for their inaugural summit on reform.

From The Daily Beast

The first was reformist president Mohammad Khatami, elected in 1997.

From The Daily Beast

But the visit seems to be the latest in a series of moves aimed at stressing his reformist credentials.

From The Daily Beast

Every legislative assembly is constantly besieged by the professional lobbyists of a swarm of reformist crowds.

From Project Gutenberg

I was a great reformist,' he says, 'but never suspected that the "people in power" were against reform.

From Project Gutenberg

Eduardo Dolz, a Reformist, was also a member, who was supposed to be the special representative of the Spanish crown.

From Project Gutenberg

Such is the language of reform, and the spirit of a reformist!

From Project Gutenberg

Socialism is either reformist, or not Socialism at all; there is no middle term.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• forward-looking
• forward-thinking
• left
• left of center
• leftist
• liberal