conservative

1 of 2

adjective

con·​ser·​va·​tive kən-ˈsər-və-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism

b

Conservative : 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

2

a

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

conservative policies

b

: marked by moderation or caution

a conservative estimate

c

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

a conservative suit

a conservative architectural style

3

Conservative : of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism

4

: preservative

conservatively adverb

conservativeness noun

conservative

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an adherent or advocate of political conservatism

b

Conservative : 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

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Noun

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

Examples of conservative in a Sentence

Adjective

She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican.

She's more conservative now than she was in college.

Noun

His message is being well received by conservatives.

proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Massie, along with conservative rabble-rouser Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., are calling on Johnson to step down from the top post. —USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

Ronald Reagan rode a conservative wave from Hollywood all the way to the White House. —TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English conservatif "tending to protect or preserve," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin conservātīvus, from Latin conservātus, past participle of conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged" + -īvus -ive — more at conserve entry 1

Noun

derivative of conservative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing conservative

• anti-conservative

Kids Definition

conservative

1 of 2 adjective

con·​ser·​va·​tive kən-ˈsər-vət-iv 

1

: tending to conserve or preserve

2

: of or relating to conservatism

3

: tending to preserve existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional

4

: cautious, moderate

a conservative estimate

5

: being in agreement with the usual standards of taste or manners

a conservative suit

a conservative dresser

conservatively adverb

conservativeness noun

conservative

2 of 2 noun

: a person who is conservative especially in politics

Medical Definition

conservative

adjective

con·​ser·​va·​tive kən-ˈsər-vət-iv 

: 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 sense 3, radical entry 1

conservatively adverb