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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reactionaries
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
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
When Atsu was first revealed as the game’s protagonist, reactionaries jumped to disavow the sequel, citing bad-faith reasoning that failed to hide their prejudices.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
In middle age, some sports fans become reactionaries.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025
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
When Atsu was first revealed as the game’s protagonist, reactionaries jumped to disavow the sequel, citing bad-faith reasoning that failed to hide their prejudices.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionaries
Noun
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Politics consequently occupies much of the space for leftists that is usually taken up by family, religion, career and community for conservatives.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Also, some conservatives are unsatisfied with a ban on central bank digital currencies was included in the Senate legislation, because the provision would only be temporary.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The fellowship, designed to boost their creative careers, offers mentorship from veterans in the field as well as industry executives, while Concordia offers up its own production resources and studio facilities.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
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Will Antoine push the four veterans?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reactionaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionaries. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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