antifederalist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No, they were not against the United States itself. They were against a specific plan (the 1787 Constitution) for governing it, fearing it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the states and individual rights.

When referring specifically to the historical group in U.S. history, it is typically capitalized (Antifederalist). When used in a general, modern sense to describe opposition to federalism, it is often lowercased (antifederalist).

'The Federalist Papers' is a famous, unified series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote ratification. 'The Antifederalist Papers' is a modern name given to a collection of various essays and speeches by multiple authors who opposed ratification; they were not a single, coordinated series.

In a strict historical sense, no, as the term defines a position in a specific, concluded debate. However, one can hold 'antifederalist' views—that is, advocate for stronger state powers and a weaker central government—and may be described as such in analytical or metaphorical writing, often with clarification.

A person who opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution in the late 1780s, advocating for stronger state governments and fearing a powerful central government.

Antifederalist is usually formal, academic, historical in register.

Antifederalist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.tiˈfed.ər.əl.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.tiˈfed.ɚ.əl.ɪst/ˌæn.taɪ-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.