anti-federalist
|an-ti-fed-er-al-ist|
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛd.ər.əl.ɪst/
opponent of federalism
Etymology
'anti-federalist' originates from the prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'federalist,' referring to supporters of a strong federal government.
'anti-federalist' was coined during the late 18th century in the United States to describe those who opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government.
Initially, it meant 'opponent of federalism,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789 and thereafter allied with Thomas Jefferson's Anti-Federal Party, which opposed extension of the powers of the federal Government.
The anti-federalists were concerned about the potential for tyranny in a strong central government.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/08 14:00