right·​ward | \ ˈrīt-wərd How to pronounce rightward (audio) \

Definition of rightward

: being at, toward, or to the right

Examples of rightward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His campaign has not released many specifics beyond that, but a continuance of his rightward lean on social spending and defense is probably to be expected. Justin Rohrlich, Quartz, "Your guide to the Republicans challenging Trump in the 2020 presidential race," 28 Aug. 2019 Thomas’s rightward drift, which began in the seventies, was inflected by the very ethos that once put him on the left: namely, disaffection with black liberalism and the mainstream civil-rights movement. Corey Robin, The New Yorker, "Clarence Thomas’s Radical Vision of Race," 21 June 2019 According to the Democracy Fund, only about twenty-three per cent of the electorate might be considered traditionally conservative, with rightward stances on both economic and social policy. Osita Nwanevu, The New Yorker, "Conservative Nationalism Is Trumpism for Intellectuals," 21 July 2019 Turnbull, considered a moderate, tried to keep this rightward rebellion in check, granting concessions and trying to placate the hardliners. Jen Kirby, Vox, "What the hell is happening with Australia’s prime minister, explained," 25 Aug. 2018 Yet Justice Kennedy closed his third decade on the court in a decidedly rightward pose. The Economist, "Justice Kennedy is retiring. What happens now?," 30 June 2018 Several factors have contributed to the rightward trend, none more important than Justice Neil Gorsuch's first full term as successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court's conservatives mark return to power with major rulings, minor punts," 27 June 2018 Last year, some of Mr. Trump’s evangelical advisers sought to quiet Vatican criticism of the rightward direction of American Catholicism. Elizabeth Dias And Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, "Firing of House Chaplain Causes Uproar on Capitol Hill," 27 Apr. 2018 Further, many people believe that, as one of the Supreme Court’s longest-serving liberal justices, Ginsburg could well be the only person who can prevent such a rightward shift from happening — if only by virtue of staying alive. Aja Romano, Vox, "“Protect RBG” memes capture cultural anxiety over the Supreme Court," 9 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rightward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rightward

1733, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for rightward

rightward

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of rightward

: toward the right