Meaning & use
anti-statist
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Opposed to a large or powerful role for the government in society and the economy.
Grammar: Used before a noun: anti-statist policies. It can also stand alone after a linking verb: his views are anti-statist.
Patterns
- anti-statist policies
- anti-statist views
- anti-statist rhetoric
The party's anti-statist policies call for deep cuts in public spending.
Her anti-statist views were shaped by growing up under a strict regime.
Critics say the anti-statist rhetoric ignores the need for basic public services.
nouncountableformal
A person who believes the government should have a much smaller role in society.
Grammar: Countable, so use a/an or the plural: an anti-statist, anti-statists.
Patterns
- a committed anti-statist
- anti-statists argue that …
As a committed anti-statist, he wants most services run by private companies.
Anti-statists on both sides of the debate rejected the new tax.
Word forms
| plural | anti-statists |
|---|
Common combinations
- anti-statist policies
- Their anti-statist policies would shrink several government departments.
- anti-statist rhetoric
- The speech was full of anti-statist rhetoric but few concrete plans.
- a committed anti-statist
- She has been a committed anti-statist since her student days.
- anti-statist sentiment
- Anti-statist sentiment grew after the scandal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- libertarian
- Libertarian is a broader label for someone who wants minimal government in both personal and economic life; anti-statist focuses specifically on opposing state power.
- anti-government
- Anti-government can mean opposing a particular government; anti-statist is more ideological and opposes state power in general.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: anti-statist or anti-state?
anti-statist vs anti-state
Anti-state is broader and can suggest opposition to a particular country or its government; anti-statist refers to an ideology about the size of government.
Practice
The candidate's ______ agenda included cutting taxes and reducing government agencies.
Choose one answer.
Anti-statist fits because the agenda aims to reduce the role of the state. Statist means the opposite, anti-social means unfriendly, and anti-static is about preventing static electricity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “anti-statist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.