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
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 June 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
Lula, on track for reelection in October polls, vowed to stem deforestation after logging soared under his rightist predecessor, who sought to curry favor with Brazil’s powerful farming firms.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist
Noun
-
Seyfried’s comment ignited outrage from conservatives on social media.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
Liberals have been increasingly outraged by Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, especially during the war in Gaza, and conservatives have questioned the importance of longstanding American support for Israel.—
Kelvin Chan,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Garrett says the new protocols acknowledge that academic institutions have the responsibility to take steps for the safety of their researchers and protect them from potentially dangerous interactions with conspiracy theorists and other reactionary zealots.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
-
All kinds of other reactionary social ideas spread.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Danger on the left Van Hollen is right, but the difficult part for his party is resisting the influence of leftist factions that identify with the Palestinians to the extreme of denying Israel’s right to exist.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
-
Known for his staunch support of leftist policies, Piker has developed a massive online audience, with nearly 10 million followers across major social media platforms.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Too much iron can be dangerous, and excessive vitamin D may lead to high calcium levels and other complications.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
-
Study author Alexandros Vgontzas, MD, director of the Sleep Research and Treatment Center at Penn State College of Medicine, told Health the results suggest that excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged sleep latency may be important risk factors for hypertension.—
Zoe Cunniffe,
Health,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
While the anti-migration League has backed opening discussion, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and centrist allies have been more cautious about endorsing a proposal linked to extremist circles, amid concerns over legal risks and internal divisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rambling usually ignores it when Dean Cain posts one of his tirades against liberal Hollywood.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
An unwritten rule reserving membership for liberal democracies keeps authoritarian China out, even as its trade surplus, rare minerals, military buildup and huge carbon footprint dominate the summit’s agenda.—
John Leicester,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
