Langimage
English

anticonfederationist

|an-ti-con-fed-er-a-tion-ist|

C2

🇺🇸

/ˌæn.ti.kən.fəˈdɛr.eɪ.ʃən.ɪst/

🇬🇧

/ˌæn.ti.kɒn.fəˈdɛr.eɪ.ʃən.ɪst/

against forming a union

Etymology
Etymology Information

'anticonfederationist' is formed in English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') + 'confederation' (from Latin 'confoederatio', from 'con-' 'together' + 'foedus' 'league, treaty') + the agent noun suffix '-ist'.

Historical Evolution

'anti-' + 'confederation' + '-ist' combined in Modern English (particularly in political contexts of the 18th–19th centuries) to produce 'anticonfederationist' as a term for an opponent of confederation.

Meaning Changes

Initially and historically it has meant 'one who is opposed to the formation of a confederation'; this core meaning has largely remained unchanged.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a person who opposes the formation of a confederation or political union; an opponent of confederation.

The anticonfederationist argued that joining the new confederation would weaken local autonomy.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/08/29 21:25