egalitarian
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for egalitarian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.
“They founded the school on strictly egalitarian lines.”
Opposites
How to Use Egalitarian
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal; common in political and social commentary.
Etymology
From French égalitaire, from égal 'equal', from Latin aequalis.
Full origin of egalitarian →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between egalitarian and socialist?
Egalitarian names a goal — equality of worth, rights or outcomes — without saying how to reach it. Socialism is one specific programme for getting there, based on collective ownership. You can be an egalitarian and reject socialism entirely.
Does egalitarian mean everyone gets the same?
Not necessarily. Egalitarians differ over what should be equalised: some argue for equal opportunity and equal treatment under the law, others for a more equal distribution of income or wealth. The shared commitment is equal moral standing, not identical outcomes.
How do you pronounce egalitarian?
i-gal-i-TAIR-ee-uhn, with the main stress on 'tair'. The opening is a short unstressed 'i', as in 'again', not a long 'ee'.