Definition of conservative
1 : preservative
2a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatismb capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: such as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions (2) : progressive conservative
3a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional conservative policiesb : marked by moderation or caution a conservative estimatec : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners a conservative suit a conservative architectural style
4 : of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism
conservatively
adverbconservativeness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of conservative in a Sentence
She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican.
She's more conservative now than she was in college.
Recent Examples of conservative from the Web
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Ben Smith, the editor in chief of BuzzFeed, where Mr. Kaczynski used to work, defended his former reporter, as did the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
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The Annual Fund has ties with the Wellspring Committee, which gives money to conservative legal causes, including the Judicial Crisis Network.
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The head of Alabama's third-largest school system says he wasn't concerned with the content of a summer reading list filled with hardline conservative authors promoted by a Spanish Fort High School teacher.
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Conservative: Rabbi David Baum (Congregation Shaarei Kodesh).
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WASHINGTON — As Republicans wrangle over how to advance their Affordable Care Act overhaul, Sen. Pat Toomey has emerged as a key voice arguing for conservative priorities.
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Most college kids will not hear a single conservative speaker in their entire four years of college.
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In academe, the forbidden ideas are typically conservative ones.
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Kaiser Permanente, one of the more conservative medical institutions in the country, is on board, too.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conservative'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of conservative
see 1conserve
Other Government and Politics Terms
conservative
Definition of conservative
1a : an adherent or advocate of political conservatismb capitalized : a member or supporter of a conservative political party
2a : one who adheres to traditional methods or viewsb : a cautious or discreet person
Examples of conservative in a Sentence
His message is being well received by conservatives.
proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state
Recent Examples of conservative from the Web
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The Lee board includes a number of Republican donors and other conservatives.
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Planned Parenthood, the reproductive rights organization targeted by conservatives for providing abortion services, is turning the tables and going after Rep. Martha McSally for seeking to cut off its federal funds.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conservative'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of conservative
see 1conserve
Other Government and Politics Terms
CONSERVATIVE Defined for English Language Learners
conservative
playDefinition of conservative for English Language Learners
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: believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society : relating to or supporting political conservatism
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Conservative : of or relating to the conservative party in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada
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: not liking or accepting changes or new ideas
conservative
Definition of conservative for English Language Learners
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: a person who believes in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society : a person who is politically conservative
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Conservative : a member or supporter of a conservative political party in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada
CONSERVATIVE Defined for Kids
Definition of conservative for Students
1 : favoring a policy of keeping things as they are : opposed to change
2 : favoring established styles and standards He wears conservative ties.
3 : likely to be lower than what the real amount or number is a conservative estimate
conservatively
adverbDefinition of conservative for Students
: a person who is opposed to change : a cautious person
Medical Dictionary
conservative
playMedical 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
conservatively
adverbLearn More about conservative
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See words that rhyme with conservative Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for conservative Spanish Central: Translation of conservative Nglish: Translation of conservative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of conservative for Arabic speakers
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