Synonyms of conservatism

conservatism

noun

kən-ˈsər-və-ˌti-zəm 

as in conservativeness

attitudes or opinions tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions

the state's well-known conservatism means that progressive legislation always has an uphill battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservativeness
• traditionalism
• ultraconservatism
• reactionaryism
• neoconservatism
• Toryism
• bigotry
• die-hardism
• illiberalism
• conventionalism
• fogyism
• conventionality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberalism
• progressivism
• neoliberalism
• radicalism
• extremism
• liberalness
• open-mindedness
• broad-mindedness
• nonconformity
• unorthodoxy
• nonconformism
• unconventionalism

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of conservatism

Although the conservatism in this presentation is understandable, most observers believe the federal government will grant the state’s request. —Paul Francis, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Age has brought thoughts of conservatism scurrying into the back of his mind. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026

Many of these staffers are defecting to a new organization called Advancing American Freedom, founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, that espouses a much more traditional view of conservatism. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026

Grover Norquist, one of the chief ideologists of modern conservatism, used to fantasize about drowning the government in the bathtub. —Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026