right wing

8 synonyms and 5 antonyms for right wing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The conservative side of politics, generally favouring free markets, traditional social values, strong national identity and limited state intervention in the economy.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

conservative

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

conservatives reactionary

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

the right the political right rightist right winger outside right

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.”

the right conservatives the political right

Opposites

left wing the left

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.”

conservative rightist reactionary

Opposites

left-wing progressive liberal

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.”

right winger outside right

Opposites

left wing

How to use right wing

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

far right right-wing populism hard right right-wing media

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.

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liberal conservative progressive Conservatives reactionary rightist

Nearby words

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