standpat
/'stændpæt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Resistant to change, especially in political or social contexts: Describes a person, group, or attitude that is stubbornly opposed to new ideas, reforms, or progress, preferring to maintain the existing state of affairs.
- Conservative, reactionary: Implies a rigid adherence to traditional policies or principles.
Usage
- As an adjective (typically used before a noun):
- The standpat members of the committee blocked every proposal for modernization.
- His standpat views on economic policy made him unpopular with younger voters.
Advanced Usage
- "standpat attitude": A mindset characterized by an unwillingness to change or compromise.
- The company's failure was due to its standpat attitude in a rapidly evolving market.
- "standpat position": A fixed, unyielding stance on an issue.
- The senator maintained a standpat position against any new environmental regulations.
Variants and Related Words
- Standpatter (noun): A person who holds standpat views.
- The debate was between reformers and standpatters.
- Standpatism (noun): The policy or practice of being standpat.
- The party's standpatism eventually led to its decline.
Synonyms
- Conservative: Favoring traditional views and values; cautious about change.
- Reactionary: Opposing political or social liberalization or reform.
- Unprogressive: Not favoring or promoting progress or innovation.
Antonyms
- Progressive: Favoring or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas.
- Reformist: Supporting or advocating for political or social change.
- Innovative: Introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking.
Notes on Meaning
- The term standpat originates from the game of poker, where a player "stands pat," meaning they keep their original hand without drawing new cards, refusing to change it. This metaphor was applied to politics to describe those who refuse to alter their position.
- While it can mean "old-fashioned and out of date," its core meaning is an active, stubborn resistance to change rather than merely being outdated. An old-fashioned object is passively out of style, while a person actively resists new styles or ideas.
Adjective
- old-fashioned and out of date