adj
Fabian
FAY-bee-uhn
adj
1
Favoring gradual, cautious reform over sudden or drastic change, especially in politics.
"She took a Fabian approach to the reorganization, introducing changes one small step at a time."
"The party's Fabian wing preferred slow legislative reform to street protest."
2
Deliberately cautious or delaying, avoiding a direct confrontation.
"His Fabian strategy in the negotiations was to stall until the other side ran out of patience."
How to Use Fabian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCautiously gradual, especially about change or conflict.
Common pairings
a Fabian approach
Fabian tactics
Fabian reform
Word Forms
more Fabian comparative, Fabians plural, most Fabian superlative
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Etymology
From Fabius Maximus, the Roman general who wore down Hannibal's invading army by avoiding pitched battles and cutting his supply lines rather than fighting directly. His name later gave rise to the Fabian Society, a British group that pushed for socialism through gradual reform.