Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of a group of 19th-century English workers who destroyed machinery in protest: The term originates from groups of textile workers who, fearing unemployment, sabotaged labor-saving machinery like weaving frames during the Industrial Revolution.
   • A person who is opposed to new technology or technological progress: In modern usage, it describes anyone who is resistant to adopting new technologies, often due to skepticism about their benefits or fear of their consequences.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Historical):

  • The factory owner feared the Luddites would attack his new mechanical looms.
  • The Luddite movement was a response to rapid industrialization and poor working conditions.

• Noun (Modern):

  • My grandfather is a bit of a Luddite; he refuses to use a smartphone and still writes letters by hand.
  • She was called a Luddite for criticizing the company's over-reliance on automation.

Advanced Usage

• Used as a modifier: The term can be used adjectivally to describe attitudes or actions.
  • He has a Luddite attitude towards social media, believing it harms genuine communication.
  • The article discussed the Luddite impulse in modern society.

Variants and Related Words

• Luddism (n): The beliefs or practices of Luddites; opposition to technological change.
  • His argument was rooted in a deep-seated Luddism.
• Ludditic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of Luddites. (Note: This is a less common derivative.)
  • The protest had a distinctly Ludditic tone.

Synonyms

• Technophobe: A person who fears or dislikes advanced technology.
• Reactionary (in this context): A person who opposes political or social progress or reform, which can extend to technological change.
• Traditionalist: A person who advocates maintaining tradition, often including older methods over new technologies.

Antonyms

• Technophile: A person who is enthusiastic about new technology.
• Innovator: A person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products.
• Early adopter: A person who starts using a new product or technology as soon as it becomes available.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To pull a Luddite: An informal phrase meaning to reject or sabotage technology. (Note: This is a modern, colloquial construction based on the term.)
  • I had to pull a Luddite and turn off all my notifications to get any work done.

Noun

1. one of the 19th century English workmen who destroyed laborsaving machinery that they thought would cause unemployment
2. any opponent of technological progress