Antonyms – Choose the word that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the highlighted word. Sentence: It was universally characterized as a progressive measure. Target word: progressive

Introduction / Context:
Progressive in policy discourse means favoring advancement, reform, or forward movement. The antonym must express backward movement, resistance to change, or a return to an earlier state. This opposition appears frequently in public administration and economics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: progressive.
• Context: characterization of a measure or policy.
• We must choose a single, precise opposite.

Concept / Approach:
Regressive is the standard antonym in governance and taxation. For instance, a regressive tax places a heavier relative burden on lower incomes and is considered the opposite trend of progressive taxation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Determine axis: forward change versus backward tendency.2) Identify policy-level opposite: regressive.3) Exclude synonyms that reinforce the original meaning.4) Confirm domain usage in public policy terminology.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “It was characterized as a regressive measure” inverts the praise of forward reform into a criticism of backward policy, confirming antonymy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• forward-looking: synonymic with progressive.
• innovative: positive synonym indicating novelty.
• modern: also aligns with contemporary and progressive tendencies.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing retrograde if it appears among options; while also an antonym, regressive is the most standard term in public policy contexts. Here only regressive is provided as the opposite.

Final Answer:
regressive