Synonyms of conservative

conservative 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈsər-və-tiv 

1

as in traditional

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions

conservative baseball fans consider the new ballpark too modern-looking and plain ugly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traditional
• orthodox
• ultraconservative
• reactionary
• conventional
• loyal
• staunch
• archconservative
• faithful
• old-line
• traditionalistic
• unprogressive
• hidebound
• old-school
• old-fashioned
• steadfast
• die-hard
• devoted
• paleoconservative
• standpat
• true
• button-down
• mossbacked
• neoconservative
• right-wing
• true-blue
• steady
• square
• brassbound
• Tory
• stodgy
• ultraright
• ossified
• ultrarightist
• right
• antiliberal
• dowdy
• antimodern
• fogyish
• fuddy-duddy
• set
• antiprogressive
• blimpish
• antirevolutionary
• antireform

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• progressive
• nontraditional
• nonconservative
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• nonconventional
• radical
• extremist
• revolutionary
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• antiestablishment
• modern
• contemporary
• nonconformist
• large-minded
• advanced
• nonorthodox
• antitraditional
• anticonventional
• lefty
• ultraleft
• ultraleftist
• ultraradical
• ultraprogressive

2

as in muted

not excessively showy

dressing in conservative outfits so as to make a good impression at job interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muted
• quiet
• restrained
• subdued
• repressed
• understated
• proper
• low-key
• simple
• unpretentious
• appropriate
• unflashy
• sober
• fitting
• modest
• toned-down
• handsome
• suitable
• plain
• graceful
• sensible
• becoming
• practical
• fit
• unadorned
• unobtrusive
• inconspicuous
• tasteful
• undecorated
• drab
• mousy
• unnoticeable
• refined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• flamboyant
• noisy
• gaudy
• flashy
• ostentatious
• garish
• glitzy
• swank
• splashy
• meretricious
• flaring
• vulgar
• fancy
• tawdry
• tasteless
• baroque
• tacky
• trashy
• inelegant
• graceless
• razzle-dazzle
• gilded
• ornate
• frilly
• rococo
• overwrought
• overdecorated
• overdone

3

as in cautious

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble

made conservative investments, and so he wasn't ruined when the market went into a free fall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautious
• careful
• wary
• alert
• circumspect
• guarded
• considerate
• chary
• safe
• gingerly
• thoughtful
• heedful
• vigilant
• attentive
• watchful
• observant
• awake
• foresighted
• shrewd
• deliberate
• slow
• cagey
• regardful
• provident
• hypercautious
• calculating
• advertent
• forethoughtful
• foresightful
• canny
• ultracareful
• ultracautious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• reckless
• unsafe
• bold
• regardless
• impetuous
• rash
• heedless
• unmindful
• brash
• unguarded
• venturesome
• unwary
• thoughtless
• inattentive
• negligent
• lax
• incautious
• asleep
• imprudent
• inconsiderate
• neglectful
• injudicious
• remiss
• indiscreet
• forgetful
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unplanned
• absentminded

conservative

2 of 2

noun

as in Tory

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are

proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• Tory
• traditionalist
• rightist
• archconservative
• reactionary
• right-winger
• right
• right-wing
• paleoconservative
• bourbon
• conformist
• neoconservative
• neocon
• square
• standpatter
• Colonel Blimp
• diehard
• stuffed shirt
• fuddy-duddy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• leftist
• lefty
• red
• extremist
• progressive
• revolutionary
• revolutionist
• left-winger
• reformist
• radical
• reformer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of conservative

Adjective

But while DeSantis’ conservative policies cement a legacy that will be difficult to overturn, the political fate of Florida remains less fixed. — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Many researchers have since realized the scale mostly measures attitudes associated with being conservative. — Lisa Hagen, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

His conservatives and their grand coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), would have to agree on his successor, no easy feat. — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

If Joe Biden had proposed that, conservatives would have been all against it. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026