# reformist

/ɹɪˈfɔɹmɪst/ (US) · /ɹɪfˈɔːmɪst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reformist
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a person who wants to change a system or society to make it better. They usually support small, slow changes rather than a complete revolution.

For teachers: a person who advocates for the improvement of an existing system or institution through gradual, incremental changes rather than radical overhaul.

## Examples

- The reformist proposed a new tax system to help the poor.
- While the radical faction wanted to abolish the monarchy, the reformist focused on modernizing the legal system from within.
- The reformist's primary goal was to introduce transparency into the bureaucratic process without dismantling the entire administrative framework that had served the state for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.