reactionary
adjective
re·ac·tion·ary
rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē 
: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction
especially
: ultraconservative in politics
reactionary
noun
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
The reactionary league is constantly futzing after other versions of the sport implement fun rules, or promising to address unfairness when sensational NFL playoff battles have ended without a quarterback deity such as Peyton Manning or Josh Allen touching the ball.
—
The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That Watson hasn’t used these moments of victimhood to become reactionary is part of what seems to anger Rowling.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
For too long, histories of the war have emphasized its leaders, men like Thomas Müntzer in Thuringia, adopted by Friedrich Engels and then by the East German regime as a revolutionary hero to rival the reactionary colossus Luther.
—Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
In the past, Kaepernick’s protest and countless other incidents have prompted reactionary vows to boycott the league, along with the ritualistic burning of team jerseys and other merchandise.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
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The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That Watson hasn’t used these moments of victimhood to become reactionary is part of what seems to anger Rowling.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
For too long, histories of the war have emphasized its leaders, men like Thomas Müntzer in Thuringia, adopted by Friedrich Engels and then by the East German regime as a revolutionary hero to rival the reactionary colossus Luther.
—Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
In the past, Kaepernick’s protest and countless other incidents have prompted reactionary vows to boycott the league, along with the ritualistic burning of team jerseys and other merchandise.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactionary. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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