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

Their public feud escalated in 2024 after Musk discussed Wilson's transition during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

The party proposed itself as the strongest opposition to the Italian political establishment, seen as corrupt and conservative, and to the Catholic Church’s extensive influence on Italian society. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Had conservatives taken sexy back, or was this all just an optical illusion, not unlike the kind created by a padded bra or a pair of Spanx? — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Domestically, however, hard-line conservatives remain critical of any agreement with the US, accusing the Iranian president and his negotiators of compromising Iran’s wartime gains. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026