RIGHTIST Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

rightist 1 of 2

noun

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

rightist

2 of 2

adjective

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

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 While America First drew supporters from across the political spectrum, it was most associated with rightists. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2022

Adjective

Israel launched the war in response to an October 2023 invasion by Hamas which blindsided Netanyahu’s religious-rightist government. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 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

West’s case also dovetailed with an anti-surrogacy campaign recently undertaken by some conservatives, Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis who specializes in reproductive health, told CNN.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Democrats say the flip indicates voters want education to move on from political fights over social issues, while conservatives point to their wins.

— Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

This week, Cuba commemorated Castro with events including the International Book Fair, art exhibitions, concerts and gatherings of delegates from leftist organizations across the continent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Last December, Bolivia’s new right-wing government restored ties with Israel that had been suspended by its leftist predecessors.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of leftist

Adjective

The government says the organization told donors their money would help dismantle violent extremist groups while concealing that some funds were routed to the groups’ leaders and organizers.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
However, the most controversial point in the yearslong debate was the fate of extremist Islamist prisoners, including firebrand cleric Ahmad al-Assir.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremist

Adjective

Americans and Europeans who identify as leftist or liberal tend to have fewer children than those who identify as conservative or right-leaning.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
The three finalists are liberal strongholds surrounded by the type of suburban areas that have become increasingly important to the party in recent elections.

— Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberal

Browse Nearby Words

righting

rightist

rightists

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rightist

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on rightist

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes