Synonyms of reactionaries

reactionaries

noun

plural of reactionary

1

as in conservatives

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are

reactionaries tried to stop the passage of the legislation extending civil rights

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservatives
• rightists
• traditionalists
• right-wingers
• Tories
• paleoconservatives
• archconservatives
• conformists
• neocons
• neoconservatives
• right-wings
• rights
• standpatters
• diehards
• stuffed shirts
• bourbons
• fuddy-duddies
• squares

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberals
• progressives
• leftists
• radicals
• revolutionaries
• extremists
• revolutionists
• lefties
• left-wingers
• reds
• reformers
• reformists

2

as in veterans

a person with old-fashioned ideas

a reactionary in the nation's ongoing culture war, she seems to believe that watching any TV at all will rot your brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservatives
• veterans
• fogies
• fossils
• mossbacks
• antediluvians
• fuddy-duddies
• stuffed shirts
• rightists
• stick-in-the-muds
• fuds
• Tories
• mandarins
• dodoes
• old hands
• old-timers
• old maids

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderns
• radicals
• liberals
• progressives
• hipsters
• trendies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reactionaries

America First ideologues, backed by the government in Washington, condemn Europe in pretty much the same terms that European reactionaries once used against the United States. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

But to his legions of enemies — from MAGA reactionaries to the Anti-Defamation League to mere centrist Democrats — Piker is a loudmouth extremist who’s actively harming the country. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

Some reactionaries will always find a reason to demand all-white entertainment, regardless of whether there are mermaids, hobbits, or lightsabers involved. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

The Federal Reserve’s reactionaries are likely to then put pressure on Warsh to hike interest rates. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Yes, the movie’s reactionaries are ridiculous, never more so than when Penn’s comic-book antagonist is onscreen. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025