reformer

noun

re·​form·​er ri-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce reformer (audio)
1
: one that works for or urges reform
2
capitalized : a leader of the Protestant Reformation
3
: an apparatus for cracking oils or gases to form specialized products

Examples of reformer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Curriculum has often been overlooked by policymakers and education reformers, but studies have shown a good one can have at least as large an impact as an effective teacher. Natalie Wexler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 In a striking contrast to Sakharov’s burial in the era of Soviet reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, hundreds of Navalny’s supporters have been arrested merely for paying respects by laying flowers at makeshift memorials. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Forma is exclusive by design, an invite-only exercise community that charges $100 for semi-private reformer classes and $250 for private sessions. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 This also means putting certain guardrails on landmark juvenile justice reforms of two years ago, and that isn’t likely to please juvenile justice reformers. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024 Those and other Gascón policies have proved controversial — some see him as a progressive reformer, others as soft on crime. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Famous as a prison reformer and Quaker at the turn of the 19th century, Fry is another who, like Nightingale, has been presented as the epitome of womanly virtues. Sarah Gristwood, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 Again and again, this official narrative—and the liberal reformers’ relatively small following—was used as evidence that Russians were not ready for democracy. Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024 In Lahore, that sentiment is especially strong among the young upper middle class that saw Mr. Khan as a reformer. Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reformer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reformer was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near reformer

Cite this Entry

“Reformer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reformer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reformer

noun
re·​form·​er ri-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce reformer (audio)
: one that works for reform
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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