re·ac·tion·ary
rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē 
: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction
especially
: ultraconservative in politics
reactionary
noun
re·ac·tion·ary·ism
rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē-ˌi-zəm
plural -s
: the quality or state of being reactionary : reactionism
Examples of reactionary in a Sentence
Adjective
reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword
Recent Examples on the Web
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
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Adjective
Only within the logic of an authoritarian or deeply reactionary culture can justice and beauty become controversial aims.
—
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactionary. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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