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
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Recent Examples of conservatives
The series written by Tolkien, a devout Catholic, became a popular franchise with conservatives.
—
Alexander Hall, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The 48th will be a beacon of how conservatives, independents and liberals can agree and work together on the issues that matter most to our district.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Many conservatives expressed concern over taxpayer money going to the ballroom, however, and have sought to authorize the project without funding it directly.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
There has been a lot of pearl-clutching concern among both liberals and conservatives about New York City’s future — and the nation’s — with socialist Mayor Mamdani.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
For generations, the 10th Amendment has been the rallying point for conservatives who believe that decisions are best made closest to the people affected by them.
—Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The last pope, Francis, could be filed away by American conservatives as an anti-American Latin American leftist, but Leo can’t.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Now, just as congressional investigators are escalating a formal inquiry into the project, a separate program closely aligned with the fossil fuel industry and free-market conservatives is hosting a symposium for 150 judges in Nashville, Tennessee.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 2 May 2026
If Obama had spoken about his race more frequently, conservatives would not rely so heavily on the singular example.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
Alexander Hall, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The 48th will be a beacon of how conservatives, independents and liberals can agree and work together on the issues that matter most to our district.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Many conservatives expressed concern over taxpayer money going to the ballroom, however, and have sought to authorize the project without funding it directly.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
There has been a lot of pearl-clutching concern among both liberals and conservatives about New York City’s future — and the nation’s — with socialist Mayor Mamdani.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
For generations, the 10th Amendment has been the rallying point for conservatives who believe that decisions are best made closest to the people affected by them.
—Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The last pope, Francis, could be filed away by American conservatives as an anti-American Latin American leftist, but Leo can’t.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Now, just as congressional investigators are escalating a formal inquiry into the project, a separate program closely aligned with the fossil fuel industry and free-market conservatives is hosting a symposium for 150 judges in Nashville, Tennessee.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 2 May 2026
If Obama had spoken about his race more frequently, conservatives would not rely so heavily on the singular example.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservatives
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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What Musgraves is doing here is not like the bro-country guys who ease off trap drums to appease country traditionalists.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, rights groups, including Global Witness, have long urged jewelers to avoid buying Burmese gemstones, saying the trade helps fund the country's military governments, according to The Associated Press.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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The 53-year-old rights activist and champion of women’s rights was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while in prison and has been jailed repeatedly throughout her career.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Like Curtis Yarvin and other neo-reactionaries, Land abhors democracy.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
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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 14 May. 2026.
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