anti-federal
|an-ti-fed-er-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛd.ɚ.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛd.ər.əl/
against a federal system
Etymology
'anti-federal' is a compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'federal'. 'anti-' originates from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'federal' comes ultimately from Latin 'foedalis' (from 'foedus') relating to a 'league' or 'treaty'.
'federal' passed into English via Late Latin 'foederalis' and Old French 'fédéral'; the combining prefix 'anti-' came from Greek 'anti-' and was productive in English compounds. The compound 'anti-federal' arose in English usage in the 18th century, notably in the United States to describe opponents of a stronger central government.
Initially the components meant 'against' and 'relating to a league/treaty'; over time the compound came to signify opposition to a federal system (especially used historically for opponents of the U.S. Constitution), and more broadly any stance opposing federalization or centralized federal authority.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to federalism or to the establishment/expansion of a federal system; historically, a member or supporter of the Anti-Federalists who opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the 1780s.
Many anti-federal argued that the proposed constitution gave too much power to a central government.
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Adjective 1
opposed to federalism or to the centralization of political power in a federal government; resisting the creation or expansion of a federal system.
She expressed strongly anti-federal opinions at the convention.
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Last updated: 2025/10/28 09:04