as in conservative
a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are
rightists opposed the new social programs
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as in reactionary
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Recent Examples of rightist
semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced the rightist Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his 2023 election loss.
—semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Rising worries over crime are upending Latin American politics, propelling rightist candidates to the top of polls across the region.
—semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist
Noun
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In the 7th District, that playbook is being tested by the fact candidates are tacking left in their politics while also receiving dark money from special interest groups that align with conservatives.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In a ceremony at the National Congress in the coastal city of Valparaíso and attended by dozens of heads of state, Kast and his future Cabinet took their oaths of office months after the conservative’s landslide victory in the 2025 elections.—
Nayara Batschke,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a long tradition of artists and activists using their platforms to take issue with the reactionary politics of their parents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
And Land, in recent years, has reëmerged as one of the most influential reactionary thinkers of our time.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His ascent to the presidency marks an abrupt departure from the progressive agenda of leftist Gabriel Boric, whose four-year term ended today.—
John Bartlett,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tech entrepreneur Adam Miller was supported by just over 4% of those polled, with leftist candidate Rae Huang at about 3%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sahil was initially charged with DUI causing injury and vehicular manslaughter, along with enhancements for causing great bodily injury, having an excessive blood-alcohol content and circumstances in aggravation.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the Police Department says an internal affairs investigation determined the claims of excessive force were unfounded.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans believed in QAnon four years ago, an alt-right extremist fantasy that was as popular as some major religions.—
Megan Thiele Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Incumbent Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020, decided against seeking a third term, having steered the French capital through the trauma of extremist attacks in 2015 and the exuberance of the Paris Olympics in 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The flow of liberal funding has continued since then.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Unlike the recent Senate primary in Texas, where Democrats publicly weighed questions of electability, Illinois may provide insight into how much of a fighter liberal voters want in Congress.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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