Meaning & use

progressive

adjective·Academic

Favoring new ideas, reform, or gradual improvement, especially in politics, education, or society.

See it in a sentence

The school adopted a progressive curriculum that encouraged independent, hands-on learning.

Her progressive views on workplace equality shaped every policy she introduced.

A note on using this word

Progressive can describe political ideology, but it also describes something that develops or increases gradually, as in a 'progressive illness'.

Words with a similar meaning

reformistforward-thinking

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

conservativetraditional

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Happening or developing gradually in stages, especially getting steadily worse.

The disease causes progressive muscle weakness over several years.

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