Progressive meaning

What does “progressive” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“progressive” is a noun and adjective with 8 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a tense of verbs used in describing action that is on-going.

progressive

a tense of verbs used in describing action that is on-going
Synonymsprogressive tense imperfect imperfect tense continuous tense
a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
Synonymsliberal liberalist

favoring or promoting progress
“progressive schools”
Oppositesregressive
favoring or promoting reform (often by government action)
Synonymsreformist reform-minded
(of taxes) adjusted so that the rate increases as the amount of income increases
Oppositesregressive
gradually advancing in extent
(of a card game or a dance) involving a series of sections for which the participants successively change place or relative position
“progressive euchre”
“progressive tournaments”
advancing in severity
“progressive paralysis”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University