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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reactionary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 rightist
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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
semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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
-
While Kirk was praised by conservatives as a champion of free speech, he was also criticized for comments that many other Americans found hateful toward LGBTQ+ communities, non-Christians, people of color and women.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s war with Iran, attacks on Pope Leo XIV, and a Jesus meme have frustrated some young conservatives, including longtime supporters who question his focus.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the regime survives, with Iran’s military having closed the Strait of Hormuz to most oil freighters and continuing to launch reactionary strikes at others in the region.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Procter & Gamble, meanwhile, which sold some of its beauty holdings to Coty but still has mega personal care brands such as Olay, Head & Shoulders and Pantene, as well as SK-II, isn’t expected to be reactionary.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguards Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Velasco is a bespectacled policy wonk known for discipline, discretion and a pragmatic bent, along with an unquestioned fealty to the ruling leftist Morena political bloc, according to reports in Mexico.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a press release, the MacArthur Justice Center said Rahman was subjected to excessive force by federal agents.—
Maria Lisignoli,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The platform’s new AI agent, René, allows dispatchers and fleet managers to investigate operational inefficiencies through simple conversational queries, identifying the root causes of issues like excessive overtime or route deviations.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The tri-border area has long been a hotbed for extremist violence, a trend worsened by the lack of security cooperation with Niger and Burkina Faso, both now led by military juntas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The government has not explicitly named the TCC as an extremist group and the FBI declined our requests for comment.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager turned liberal activist, had support from 9% of Republicans.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The character had been written as white, but Zendaya tried out anyway; her auditioning called the bluff of liberal Hollywood.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
