REACTIONARY Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

reactionary 1 of 2

adjective

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē

Definition of reactionary

as in conservative

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reactionary

2 of 2

noun

as in rightist

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are reactionaries tried to stop the passage of the legislation extending civil rights

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in veteran

a person with old-fashioned ideas a reactionary in the nation's ongoing culture war, she seems to believe that watching any TV at all will rot your brain

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reactionary

Adjective

The lesson here is not that Latinos are uniquely reactionary. — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Sadly, there is a large and growing audience for this reactionary analysis. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Noun

But to his legions of enemies — from MAGA reactionaries to the Anti-Defamation League to mere centrist Democrats — Piker is a loudmouth extremist who’s actively harming the country. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026 Some reactionaries will always find a reason to demand all-white entertainment, regardless of whether there are mermaids, hobbits, or lightsabers involved. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reactionary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary

Adjective

But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead, the Supreme Court's conservative majority said the states had brought their lawsuit too early.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of conservative

Noun

The tech giant is donating 130,000 glasses to legally blind US veterans.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The hedge fund veteran and Cabinet secretary chose a starting point for his analysis that downplayed the bond market’s reaction to Trump’s presidency.

— Kevin Breuninger,Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of veteran

Adjective

YouTube has been keen to talk up its partnership with the BBC and other British networks during its time in Edinburgh this week, and positioned itself as friend, not foe to the traditional sector.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country.

— Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

King’s indifference to orthodox formats enables formal mischief.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026