Antifederalist
|an-ti-fed-er-al-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛdərəlɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛd(ə)rəlɪst/
opposes a strong central (federal) government
Etymology
'Antifederalist' originates from Modern English, formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') + 'Federalist' (from 'federal'). The prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'federal' related to a 'league' or 'covenant'.
'Antifederalist' arose in late 18th-century America as the name for opponents of the movement called 'Federalists' (supporters of the new U.S. Constitution). The term combined 'anti-' with 'Federalist' to label that political faction and has remained as a historical and descriptive term.
Initially, it specifically meant 'an opponent of the proposed 1787 U.S. Constitution.' Over time its sense broadened to refer more generally to those opposed to strong federal (central) government or to the historical Anti-Federalist movement and its writings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution — a member or supporter of the late-18th-century Anti-Federalist movement that favored stronger state governments and explicit protections for individual rights.
Antifederalists argued that the proposed Constitution concentrated too much power in a central government and urged guarantees of individual rights.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of the Anti-Federalists; opposing federalism or opposition to a strong centralized federal government.
They presented several antifederalist arguments at the constitutional convention debates.
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Last updated: 2025/10/28 10:46