as in Tories
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 conservatives
But many conservatives saw an overreach in the Title IX changes of the Obama and Biden eras.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In dissent, four conservatives questioned how tracking someone’s driving violates their privacy.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
As a Catholic and the second-highest ranking person in the administration, Hayes-Mota said Vance could help foster the kind of deescalation and dialogue that some Catholic conservatives have called for.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Some conservatives have split over the future of the movement after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and the circumstances of his death itself became the source of a new round of conspiracy theories that have splintered some of his former followers.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
That’s similar to the Orbán approach and may explain (along with his anti-immigration policies) why American nationalist conservatives liked him so much.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
House conservatives have vented their own frustration with Senate Republicans for agreeing to split off Department of Homeland Security funding from funding for other departments, arguing that decision has given Democrats more leverage in the standoff over ICE.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, the House will once again try to pass the 18-month FISA extension over the opposition of conservatives to the warrantless surveillance powers, likely requiring Democratic votes.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Luna and other House conservatives have vowed to hold up legislation from passing the House until the Senate moves the SAVE America Act.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In dissent, four conservatives questioned how tracking someone’s driving violates their privacy.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
As a Catholic and the second-highest ranking person in the administration, Hayes-Mota said Vance could help foster the kind of deescalation and dialogue that some Catholic conservatives have called for.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Some conservatives have split over the future of the movement after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and the circumstances of his death itself became the source of a new round of conspiracy theories that have splintered some of his former followers.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
That’s similar to the Orbán approach and may explain (along with his anti-immigration policies) why American nationalist conservatives liked him so much.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
House conservatives have vented their own frustration with Senate Republicans for agreeing to split off Department of Homeland Security funding from funding for other departments, arguing that decision has given Democrats more leverage in the standoff over ICE.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, the House will once again try to pass the 18-month FISA extension over the opposition of conservatives to the warrantless surveillance powers, likely requiring Democratic votes.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Luna and other House conservatives have vowed to hold up legislation from passing the House until the Senate moves the SAVE America Act.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservatives
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
-
Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule.—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When left- and right-wingers agree that the United States is unrepresentative, that represents a mandate for disruption—from Trump in 2024 to Mamdani in 2025.—
Will Johnson,
Time,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Elon Musk alone has dropped the word more than 30 times on his X account since early 2024, while Joe Rogan has said that its return represents an important win for right-wingers.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
For traditionalists, this link is not merely ceremonial but is the foundational bedrock of British identity.—
Michael Saunders,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though ostracized in their time, people who resisted internment are now seen as civil-rights pioneers.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The recently formed Racial Disparities Review Committee comes nearly 13 years after a federal judge ruled that the stop-and-frisk tactics of the nation’s largest police force violated the constitutional rights of minorities.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Like Curtis Yarvin and other neo-reactionaries, Land abhors democracy.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In middle age, some sports fans become reactionaries.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conservatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservatives. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
