leftist vs. rightist

leftist vs. rightist: 's the difference?

Leftist and rightist refer to general positions on the political spectrum of beliefs, with leftist used as a noun referring to a person with progressive views or as an adjective to describe such views. Rightist is used to refer to a person with conservative and reactionary views or describe such views. The terms originated from the seating positions of different factions in European legislatures. The farther “right,” the more conservative someone or something is; the farther “left,” the more liberal.

noun

  1. a member of the political Left or a person sympathetic to its views.


adjective

  1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or advocated by the political Left.

adjective

(sometimes initial capital letter)
  1. of or relating to conservative or reactionary political views; noting or characteristic of the political Right.

noun

  1. a member or supporter of the political Right; conservative or reactionary.