RIGHTIST Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

rightist 1 of 2

noun

as in conservative

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are rightists opposed the new social programs

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rightist

2 of 2

adjective

as in reactionary

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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 rightist

Noun

In fact, he’s decided to go all the way from an angry leftist to a very angry rightist. — NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced the rightist Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his 2023 election loss. — semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025 Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule. — Kornel Chang september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025 While America First drew supporters from across the political spectrum, it was most associated with rightists. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2022

Adjective

Israel launched the war in response to an October 2023 invasion by Hamas which blindsided Netanyahu’s religious-rightist government. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 As rightist parties surge across the UK, Labour members are betting on Burnham — who easily won a parliamentary seat last week — to salvage their moribund agenda. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist

Noun

Eventually, the conservatives succeeded; the denomination finally divided in a schism in 2024, with more than seventy-six hundred congregations leaving to join a conservative Global Methodist Church.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Graham has framed her outsider status as an asset, while pointing to Trump's support as one of the key reasons conservatives should support her bid for a full term.

— Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

All this makes for tough ground to defend, and a climate that’s all too hospitable to reactionary explanation.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Nostalgic without being at all reactionary, Mitchell’s riotously crowd-pleasing blockbuster takes both of Greg and Denise’s conflicting wishes to heart.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of reactionary

Adjective

Wednesday’s State Department announcement also traced the collective to leftist groups across Europe that posted materials about their attacks on rail and energy infrastructure.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
The leftist balladeer was furious that media accounts named the four white victims but none of the Mexicans, reducing them to their status as mere deportees.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of leftist

Adjective

Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

My research on white nationalism shows how contemporary extremist movements rely less on formal membership and more on decentralized digital spaces.

— Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Jewish activists of all backgrounds have been injured, including a pair last spring beaten unconscious by extremist settlers.

— Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremist

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“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rightist

noun

adjective

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