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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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
There’s plenty of conservative commentary and activism against surrogacy and adoption rights for gay couples, but not much momentum for legislation. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026 After a stellar first day of trading, which Fortune previously reported is not unusual in China because regulators tend to keep IPO valuations conservative to protect investors, Unitree’s stock fell about 19% on Thursday. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
Liberal commentators cheered while conservatives accused him of sexism. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The conservative-leaning Fox was relatively early to the game in launching its Fox Nation destination in 2018. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 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
  • Large flower arrangements lie on the pile of earth; a traditional embroidered cloth drapes over the cross.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This new stromal cell injection shifts the focus from traditional pain management to regenerative treatment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Christine Jahan, the founder of Christine Jahan Designs, recommends sticking to soft, muted tones.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Wall Street is one constituency that’s been relatively muted on the drama.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • Another reason to be cautious about relying on AI is that crisis communications can pose critical legal risks for companies.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing is a source of crucial economic support for Iran but has walked a cautious diplomatic line amid the US-Iran war, keeping communications open with players on both sides.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cautious
Noun
  • Conservatives in DellaPosta’s study were more likely to endorse spanking kids, for instance, which aligns with conservatism’s more traditionalist worldview.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Like other hard-right populist parties across the globe, Reform’s brand is very much tied up in traditionalist masculinity.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditionalist
Adjective
  • For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.
    — Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The language remains the primary tongue of growing ultra-orthodox Jewish communities from New York to Israel, creating a demand for print and other forms of media in the Yiddish language.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of orthodox
Adjective
  • The current resurgence of tennis necklaces reflects the rise of quiet luxury and a growing appetite for investment purchasing and dressing.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Jung provides discreet, ever-changing services for powerful clients, solving problems with meticulous planning and quiet efficiency.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • Without careful planning to reduce the constellations’ brightness, the team found that, in the most extreme case, the satellites could outnumber visible stars by a factor of 100.
    — Arielle Frommer, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Maneuvering in tight spaces requires careful judgment of each individual case — and not just about which body part is least likely to cause offense when brought into close proximity to a fellow diner.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 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
conservatively
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Cite this Entry

“Conservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservative. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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