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
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Recent Examples of conservatism
The outcome among John Cornyn, Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt may define what kind of conservatism will carry Texas politics going forward.
—
Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Sensing the game might be getting away, Georgia coach Kirby Smart appeared to junk any semblance of conservatism in favor of straight-up gambling in the second half of a quarterfinal College Football Playoff clash against Mississippi at the Sugar Bowl.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
On the heels of a nationwide shift toward conservatism in 2024 — and at a time when Republicans continued to hold control over all three branches of the federal government — Mamdani delivered some hope to progressives that tides could change before the 2026 midterms.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Campbell served three House terms and two Senate terms, known for unconventional dress and championing Native American rights, children’s causes, and fiscal conservatism.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conservatism
Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Sensing the game might be getting away, Georgia coach Kirby Smart appeared to junk any semblance of conservatism in favor of straight-up gambling in the second half of a quarterfinal College Football Playoff clash against Mississippi at the Sugar Bowl.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
On the heels of a nationwide shift toward conservatism in 2024 — and at a time when Republicans continued to hold control over all three branches of the federal government — Mamdani delivered some hope to progressives that tides could change before the 2026 midterms.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Campbell served three House terms and two Senate terms, known for unconventional dress and championing Native American rights, children’s causes, and fiscal conservatism.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conservatism
Cite this Entry
“Conservatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservatism. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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