conservative 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈsər-və-tiv How to pronounce conservative (audio)
Definition of conservativenext
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

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2
as in muted
not excessively showy dressing in conservative outfits so as to make a good impression at job interviews

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conservative
Adjective
However, the initial results suggest that those projections may be conservative. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 July 2026 In 2019, the Supreme Court effectively greenlighted the practice in a 5-4 decision by the conservative majority, decreeing that partisan gerrymandering was beyond the purview of federal courts. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Noun
DeSantis filled the five open seats with conservatives, and the nine-member majority liberal board suddenly leaned conservative. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 The court would have applied the theory of the unitary executive, which the conservatives claim to be a product of originalism. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conservative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservative
  1. traditional
  2. muted
  3. cautious
  4. traditionalist
  5. orthodox
  6. quiet
  7. careful
  8. rightist
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, traditional efforts to take undocumented immigrants into custody from their homes have become less effective.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • While there are some drawbacks compared to traditional investments — such as its inability to earn dividends — there are several ways to add gold to your portfolio.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Many pre-fall collections, including Stella McCartney and Carven have embraced this approach, pairing a muted or neutral top with color on the bottom.
    — Laurence Goldberg, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • The universe of the film, as all of Nolan’s worlds are, is one drawn from the muted colors of reluctant determination and it’s structured by a gravity of inexpressible guilt.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • At a time when global fashion is navigating economic uncertainty, shifting supply chains and cautious consumer spending, one country is making an unmistakably confident statement.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Those with underlying health conditions like asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or who are pregnant need to be extra cautious about breathing in wildfire smoke.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Noun
  • Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
  • The traditionalist Catholic group whose bishops and priests were excommunicated last week for defying Pope Leo XIV has ties to the Kansas City area.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of traditionalist
Adjective
  • Rodriguez almost played as an auxiliary right-back instead of an orthodox right-winger, dropping deep and dictating play.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • In an age of intelligent machines, who gets to decide what is orthodox remains one of the most important questions a free society can ask.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Definition of orthodox
Adjective
  • And waterfront towns like North Bay Village and Bay Harbor Islands that were once known as quiet working-class suburbs are getting facelifts with new ultra-luxury condo buildings.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Instead, the young man who lived with his partner and daughter was described by neighbors as quiet and reserved.
    — Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • After careful physical analysis of six ancient princesses buried beneath the pyramids at Dahshur, researchers now have an answer.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of careful
Noun
  • That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced the rightist Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his 2023 election loss.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Definition of rightist

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conservative
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Cite this Entry

“Conservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservative. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of conservative for Spanish Speakers

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