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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reactionary
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Example Sentences
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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.
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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
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
21 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.
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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
As rightist parties surge across the UK, Labour members are betting on Burnham — who easily won a parliamentary seat last week — to salvage their moribund agenda.
—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist
Noun
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The Riverside County sheriff drew flak for conservatives like Laura Loomer for kneeling alongside activists in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and, when pressed by a CNN reporter, for signaling openness to a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
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The deal, of which Vance is increasingly the public face, is encountering a wall of opposition from skeptical conservatives who have blasted it as a loss for the United States — and a potential handicap for Vance’s political future.
Adjective
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Only within the logic of an authoritarian or deeply reactionary culture can justice and beauty become controversial aims.
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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.
Adjective
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The democratic socialist endorsed in three competitive House primary matchups, breaking with Democratic leaders by supporting leftist candidates who were unafraid to criticize Israel and push for ambitious economic policies.
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The election result also drew strong praise from prominent South Florida Republican lawmakers, many of whom had openly backed de la Espriella and framed the Colombian election as part of a broader ideological struggle across Latin America between democratic capitalism and leftist populism.
Adjective
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Christensen suggests the state should instead focus on stripping back environmental regulations that make brush clearance and fire prevention costly, which would ensure state firefighters are not working excessive overtime and the state budget is not being stretched beyond its means.
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Last September, the group published a 336-page report affirming that ABA should be included as a basic benefit under TRICARE, without the excessive administrative barriers that have disrupted treatment for children in military families.
Adjective
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On the other hand, the number of incidents at gatherings had risen within left-wing extremist circles, from 131 in 2024 to 214 last year; and in the right-wing extremist camp, 96 incidents at gatherings were reported — nearly double that of 2024.
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Ossoff's campaign and Georgia Democrats have highlighted allegations involving Collins' past social media activity and associations with individuals accused of antisemitic or extremist views.
Adjective
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But the court ruled in February that Republican counter plans violated a Utah referendum prohibiting gerrymandering, solidifying the single district centered on the increasingly liberal Salt Lake City.
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The high court divided 6 to 3 along ideological lines in ruling against Damon Landor, with the three liberal justices in dissent.
Cite this Entry
“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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