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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muted
not excessively showy
dressing in conservative outfits so as to make a good impression at job interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conservative
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2025
The 64-year-old has cited the late British conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a major role model.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
By contrast, Vice President JD Vance has frequently stepped out to defend young conservatives amid reports of their racist texts and posts.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conservative
Adjective
Surgery has become more conservative—lumpectomies and sentinel lymph node biopsies often replace full mastectomies, reducing complications and recovery time.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2025
The 64-year-old has cited the late British conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a major role model.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The commissioner’s comments come as conservatives continue to melt down over the selection of the Puerto Rican superstar.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
By contrast, Vice President JD Vance has frequently stepped out to defend young conservatives amid reports of their racist texts and posts.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conservative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservative
Adjective
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Actors were brought in to pretend to be North Korean soldiers and wellwishers, and a choir of local schoolchildren sang traditional songs.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
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Qiuhao Qiuhao quietly opened fashion week with a strong collection mining the idea of utilitarian aspects of Chinese traditional garments in the 1930s, which were subtly influenced by the Art Deco movement.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Max Studio London Godet Pleated Maxi Skirt Florals may be most commonly associated with the spring and summer, but opting for a darker, more muted shade allows the pattern to transition into the fall.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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But the colorful Diwali celebrations held annually in Indian-American communities throughout the United States are more muted this year compared to the past.—
Angela Chitkara,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many chief financial officers are investing in AI while still taking a measured approach—one that may seem overly cautious from the perspective of chief information and technology officers.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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Snow showers throughout the week; travelers advised to remain cautious due to potential slick conditions.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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An ultra-orthodox school sat adjacent to the library, and its staff supplied the settlers with sleeping mats and air conditioning for the long night.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Vatican said Leo will travel to the town of Iznik, modern day Nicaea, for the anniversary and while in Turkey is expected to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Batholomew, the spiritual leader of the approximately 300 million Eastern orthodox Christians.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Where to stay On a quiet side street in the Latin Quarter, near the Jardin des Plantes and a 30-minute stroll from the catacombs is the Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, which opened in March 2025.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Meloni told the Saturday Night Live star to remain quiet as he FaceTimed Hargitay, who was en route to Poehler’s podcast.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rather, the Penguins will be very careful with both of their teenagers.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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And to find or develop a future CEO takes careful planning and grooming, considering today’s massive disruptions like tariff impacts and the expansive growth of AI.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These traditionalists support overhauling the popular entitlement programs Medicare and Social Security, the health insurance and pension programs for seniors, respectively.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
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Aspirations of ‘Japan’s Thatcher’ Takaichi has long championed conservative policies, rooted in nationalist and traditionalist ideals.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In DaCosta’s hands, Ibsen’s emotionally extreme but tonally restrained play becomes a spectacular, flamboyant melodrama, with physical action as intense as the characters’ inner worlds.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservative. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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