REACTIONARY Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

reactionary 1 of 2

adjective

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē

Definition of reactionary

as in conservative

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

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reactionary

2 of 2

noun

as in rightist

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in veteran

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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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 reactionary

Adjective

All this makes for tough ground to defend, and a climate that’s all too hospitable to reactionary explanation. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 The lesson here is not that Latinos are uniquely reactionary. — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

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 See All Example Sentences for reactionary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary

Adjective

Meghan McCain, a conservative panelist who left the show in 2021, regularly speaks out about the program on social media and via her Citizen McCain talk show.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
Caruso, a former Republican who registered as a Democrat in 2022, could help Bass attract more conservative voters who may have voted for Spencer Pratt or tech entrepreneur Adam Miller in the primary but are now up for grabs.

— Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of conservative

Noun

Cole, who is applying for veterans’ disability benefits, is counting on getting more help from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP.

— Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Circus veterans and musical-theater pros merge skills onstage, with performers learning trapeze, aerial work and puppetry under collaborative leaders who emphasize one unified troupe — and absolute trust during death-defying feats.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026