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

• 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

What choice would a young reactionary iconoclast have but to veer right? —Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025

New law makes expelling kids easier Soon after the board cast its vote in February, the teen's lawyer said the board was being reactionary and that his client had been rehabilitated. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The Sun Devils were instead forced to punt and a reactionary firestorm began on social media. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

The team leaders and coaches have cautioned against being reactionary, encouraging small adjustments rather than major ones. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reactionary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

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