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

Garrett says the new protocols acknowledge that academic institutions have the responsibility to take steps for the safety of their researchers and protect them from potentially dangerous interactions with conspiracy theorists and other reactionary zealots. —Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026

All kinds of other reactionary social ideas spread. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Among the most delightful episodes of English-language biography is Boswell’s account of an improbable dinner party in the fateful year of 1776 that was attended by the hyper-radical Wilkes and the reactionary Samuel Johnson, who became and stayed friends. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

While secession sputtered, the Valley’s reactionary energy led to structural reforms at City Hall. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 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