Federalist Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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federalist

[ˈfɛdərəlɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

political theory

A supporter or advocate of federalism, a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Synonyms

centralist, federalism supporter, states' rights advocate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
federalist	Used in political discussions to refer to someone who supports a strong central government. This term often refers to historical contexts, specifically the supporters of the US Constitution during the late 18th century. Alexander Hamilton was a prominent federalist who contributed to the Federalist Papers. The debate between federalists and anti-federalists shaped the early political landscape of the United States.
federalism supporter	Used in modern contexts to describe someone who supports the principles of federalism, advocating for a balance of power between national and state governments. As a federalism supporter, he believes that both the national and state governments should share governance. The federalism supporter argued that states should have certain powers independent of the national government.
centralist	Used to describe someone who favors centralization of power and authority, typically in the context of government control. This term can have a negative connotation, especially among those who advocate for more local or decentralized power. The centralist policies of the government were met with resistance from the local communities. As a centralist, she argued for the necessity of strong national regulations over states' autonomy.
states' rights advocate	Used to describe someone who supports greater autonomy and power for individual states as opposed to a strong central government. This term is often used in legal and political discussions regarding the division of power. A states' rights advocate, she opposed the federal mandate, believing it infringed on state sovereignty. Historically, states' rights advocates played a significant role in debates over issues like slavery and civil rights.

Examples of usage

The Federalists believed in a strong central government.
She is a committed Federalist, supporting the idea of states' rights.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

historical context

A member or supporter of the Federalist Party, a political party in the early years of the United States.

Synonyms

Federalist Party member, Hamiltonian.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
federalist	This term is capitalized and often refers specifically to a member or supporter of the Federalist Party, especially in the context of early U.S. history. Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist who advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalist Party member	Use this phrase to clearly specify someone who was a member of the Federalist Party in the United States. This term is very specific to the historical context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. John Jay was a Federalist Party member and played a key role in the drafting of the Constitution.
Hamiltonian	This term is used to describe someone who follows or supports the political and economic principles of Alexander Hamilton. It's often used in discussions about his specific policies or ideologies. He has a Hamiltonian view of economics, supporting a strong central bank and federal involvement in industry.

Word

Description / Examples

federalist

This term is capitalized and often refers specifically to a member or supporter of the Federalist Party, especially in the context of early U.S. history.

Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist who advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.

Federalist Party member

Use this phrase to clearly specify someone who was a member of the Federalist Party in the United States. This term is very specific to the historical context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

John Jay was a Federalist Party member and played a key role in the drafting of the Constitution.

Hamiltonian

This term is used to describe someone who follows or supports the political and economic principles of Alexander Hamilton. It's often used in discussions about his specific policies or ideologies.

He has a Hamiltonian view of economics, supporting a strong central bank and federal involvement in industry.

Examples of usage

Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist in the early days of the US.
The Federalists favored a strong national government.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

American history

One of the authors of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays advocating the ratification of the US Constitution.

Synonyms

Constitution advocate, Federalist Papers author.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
federalist	Use this term to describe a person who supports a strong central government and the principles of federalism. This can be in a historical context referring to those who supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century, or in a more general context relating to modern political beliefs. Alexander Hamilton was a well-known federalist who greatly influenced the founding of the United States. Modern federalists believe in the importance of a centralized government for overseeing national issues.
Federalist Papers author	This term is highly specific and is used to refer to individuals who contributed to the writing of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. There are only three people this term can refer to: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Alexander Hamilton was a Federalist Papers author, writing many essays to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It’s important to study the works of Federalist Papers authors to understand the principles behind the U.S. Constitution.
Constitution advocate	This term is best used to describe someone who supports and promotes adherence to and the implementation of a constitution, particularly the U.S. Constitution. It can be used in both historical and contemporary settings. James Madison was a prominent Constitution advocate who played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution. Many politicians today see themselves as Constitution advocates, ensuring that governmental actions align with constitutional principles.

Word

Description / Examples

federalist

Use this term to describe a person who supports a strong central government and the principles of federalism. This can be in a historical context referring to those who supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century, or in a more general context relating to modern political beliefs.

Alexander Hamilton was a well-known federalist who greatly influenced the founding of the United States.
Modern federalists believe in the importance of a centralized government for overseeing national issues.

Federalist Papers author

This term is highly specific and is used to refer to individuals who contributed to the writing of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. There are only three people this term can refer to: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Alexander Hamilton was a Federalist Papers author, writing many essays to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
It’s important to study the works of Federalist Papers authors to understand the principles behind the U.S. Constitution.

Constitution advocate

This term is best used to describe someone who supports and promotes adherence to and the implementation of a constitution, particularly the U.S. Constitution. It can be used in both historical and contemporary settings.

James Madison was a prominent Constitution advocate who played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution.
Many politicians today see themselves as Constitution advocates, ensuring that governmental actions align with constitutional principles.

Examples of usage

James Madison was a key Federalist in writing the Federalist Papers.
The Federalist Papers are important documents in American history.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'federalist'

The term 'Federalist' originated in the United States during the late 18th century, as a political label for those who supported the ratification of the US Constitution and the establishment of a strong central government. The Federalist Party, led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, advocated for a loose interpretation of the Constitution and a strong national government. The Federalist Papers, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the early United States. Over time, the term has come to represent not only a political party but also a broader ideology of federalism and centralized authority.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,518, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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29516 aquiline
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29518 federalist
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29520 whizzing
29521 recantation
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