reactionary

adjective

re·​ac·​tion·​ary rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē 

: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction

especially : ultraconservative in politics

reactionary noun

reactionaryism

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Synonyms of reactionary

• conservative
• traditional
• orthodox

Examples of reactionary in a Sentence

reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

Recent Examples on the Web

We’ll always be thought of as too conservative, too dumb, too reactionary, too violent by too many. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

My perspective and approach has been to try and be as measured as possible and not be as reactionary. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Far from merely raising a reactionary fist in the air at the new science, Swift identified an attitude that is still around today — and one that has created many of the greatest challenges now facing educators. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Almost every day, a news story about a film professional whose decision to prioritize trans solidarity or Palestinian solidarity brings a rash of reactionary takes. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reactionary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

reactionary

1 of 2 adjective

re·​ac·​tion·​ary

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē

: of, relating to, or favoring old-fashioned political or social ideas

reactionary

2 of 2 noun

plural reactionaries

: a reactionary person