right wing
5 antonyms and opposites of right wing, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The conservative side of politics, generally favouring free markets, traditional social values, strong national identity and limited state intervention in the economy.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The conservative side of politics, generally favouring free markets, traditional social values, strong national identity and limited state intervention in the economy.
“The party's right wing pushed back against the tax rise.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Belonging to or characteristic of the conservative side of politics. Usually written right-wing before a noun.
“A right-wing government took power after the election.”
Opposites
3. noun
In football, hockey and similar sports, the attacking position on the right-hand side of the pitch, or the player filling it.
“He started the second half on the right wing.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to Use Right Wing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral as a description, though far-right and hard-right are pointed. Hyphenate before a noun (right-wing policies), leave open after a verb (the party is right wing). What counts as right wing varies sharply between countries.
Etymology
From the seating in the French National Assembly after 1789, where supporters of the king and the established order sat to the president's right and radicals to the left.
Full origin of right wing →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between right wing and left wing?
Broadly, the right wing prioritises free markets, tradition, national sovereignty and a smaller state, while the left wing prioritises economic redistribution, social equality and a larger role for government. The labels are relative to each country's own political centre.
What is the difference between right wing and far right?
Right wing covers mainstream conservatism and is a normal part of democratic politics. Far right sits well outside that mainstream and typically involves ultranationalism, hostility to immigration and minorities, and in some cases rejection of democratic norms. The two are not interchangeable.
Why are they called wings?
The terms come from where members physically sat in the French National Assembly from 1789: defenders of the monarchy and the old order to the right of the presiding officer, revolutionaries to the left. The seating plan became the metaphor.