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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fogey
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
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 reactionary
EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Electra Glide in Blue failed to land with audiences at the time, with critics dismissing it as a reactionary alternative to Easy Rider.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Adjective
She's seen some of the articles (like this one from Vulture or this one from the Los Angeles Times) advocating for an Amy Madigan Oscar nomination, as well as some of the other bits and bobs, like the reactionary memes going around the internet.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Electra Glide in Blue failed to land with audiences at the time, with critics dismissing it as a reactionary alternative to Easy Rider.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Khomeini was simultaneously the agent of Communists and of reactionaries, the editorial charged.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary
Adjective
-
While some among Democrats cast him as the party’s national leader and a natural choice for their 2028 nominee, conservative critics point to his past controversies, including other pay-for-play stories.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After working as a speechwriter in former President Ronald Reagan's administration, Ingraham pursued a law degree and became a conservative media darling.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Red mesh iron bookshelves and traditional Italian kitchen towels suspended like airy curtains from the ceiling add to the quirky interior.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk capitalized on the widening gap to position himself as a conservative cultural authority on traditional values and religion.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Its proposals to support grocery stores in stocking more produce, introduce markets to food deserts, serve healthy meals to students and veterans, and limit junk-food ads targeted at children all sound promising, but the report offers few specifics on implementation.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
-
According to a statement from the North Little Rock police Department, Norman, a 27-year veteran of the department, was charged with one count of domestic battery in the third degree.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And even though the military is short of manpower, the government refuses to draft ultra-orthodox men, whose religious political parties are key to the Netanyahu coalition.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Traditional music and Kolo dancing by Prazna Flasa Tambura, the Ansambl Sokoli, the Seoske Dame singers, and DJ Dex, with a presentation from Parish Priest, Father Milos Zivkovic on orthodox religious traditions and specialty vendors with music, books, jewelry, and icons for sale.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionary. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share