conservative

¹con·ser·va·tive

adjective \kən-ˈsər-və-tiv\

Definition of CONSERVATIVE

1

: preservative

2

a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism

b capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions (2) : progressive conservative

3

a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional

b : marked by moderation or caution <a conservative estimate>

c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners

4

: of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism

— con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb

— con·ser·va·tive·ness noun

Examples of CONSERVATIVE

1. She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican.
2. She's more conservative now than she was in college.

First Known Use of CONSERVATIVE

14th century

Related to CONSERVATIVE

Synonyms

archconservative, brassbound, button-down (or buttoned-down), die-hard, hidebound, mossbacked, old-fashioned, old-line, old-school, orthodox, paleoconservative, reactionary, standpat, traditional, traditionalistic, ultraconservative, unprogressive

Antonyms

broad-minded, large-minded, liberal, nonconservative, nonconventional, nonorthodox, nontraditional, open-minded, progressive, unconventional, unorthodox

Related Words

conventional, square; devoted, faithful, loyal, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, steady, true, true-blue; blimpish, neoconservative, Tory, ultraright, ultrarightist; dowdy, fogyish (or fogeyish), fuddy-duddy, ossified, set, stodgy; right, right-wing; antiliberal, antimodern, antiprogressive, antireform, antirevolutionary

Near Antonyms

anticonventional, antiestablishment, antitraditional, extremist, radical, revolutionary; nonconformist; advanced, contemporary, modern; lefty, radical, ultraleft, ultraleftist, ultraprogressive, ultraradical

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CONSERVATIVE

preservative

²conservative

noun

Definition of CONSERVATIVE

1

a : an adherent or advocate of political conservatism

b capitalized : a member or supporter of a conservative political party

2

a : one who adheres to traditional methods or views

b : a cautious or discreet person

Examples of CONSERVATIVE

1. His message is being well received by conservatives.
2. <proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state>

First Known Use of CONSERVATIVE

1831

Related to CONSERVATIVE

Synonyms

archconservative, paleoconservative, reactionary, rightist, right-winger, Tory, traditionalist

Antonyms

leftist, left-winger, lefty, liberal, progressive

Related Words

right, right-wing; conformist; neocon, neoconservative; diehard, standpatter; bourbon, Colonel Blimp, fuddy-duddy, square, stuffed shirt

Near Antonyms

extremist, radical, red, revolutionary, revolutionist; reformer, reformist

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CONSERVATIVE

preservative

con·ser·va·tive

adjective \kən-ˈsər-vət-iv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CONSERVATIVE

: not extreme or drastic; especially : designed to preserve parts or restore or preserve function <conservative treatment of prostate cancer by watchful waiting or hormonal therapy in contrast to radical prostatectomy>—compare aggressive 3, radical

—con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb