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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Public health cannot operate as a reactionary system that receives attention only during emergencies. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026 This included one of their players poking a finger into the ear of the Belgian penalty-spot protector Diego Moreira, and responding to the reactionary elbow to the tummy by going down, and staying down, on top of the penalty mark. — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 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

But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead, the Supreme Court's conservative majority said the states had brought their lawsuit too early.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of conservative

Noun

Of the bunch, Kaminsky is the only Broadway veteran, with Álvarez, Knight and Cochran — as well as understudies Caron Buinis, Caroline Hendricks and Michael Holding — all making their Broadway debuts with Paranormal Activity.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The Nuggets need to get younger, longer and meaner around that veteran trio, and ASAP.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of veteran

Adjective

YouTube has been keen to talk up its partnership with the BBC and other British networks during its time in Edinburgh this week, and positioned itself as friend, not foe to the traditional sector.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country.

— Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The language remains the primary tongue of growing ultra-orthodox Jewish communities from New York to Israel, creating a demand for print and other forms of media in the Yiddish language.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026