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

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rightist

2 of 2

adjective

as in reactionary

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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

Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had avoided debating challenger Flávio Bolsonaro — the son of a former president jailed for staging a coup — but the rightist’s first-round victory put the president on the back foot. — semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 In fact, he’s decided to go all the way from an angry leftist to a very angry rightist. — NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 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 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

Polls showed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and rightist challenger Flávio Bolsonaro were in effect tied ahead of Sunday’s runoff, with the result potentially coming down to which candidate’s supporters stay away from the ballot box. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist

Noun

The Republican losses indiscriminately wiped out GOP firebrands, moderates and veteran conservatives nationwide.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
Leading up to the election, many traditional conservatives broke ranks and declared support for Hinojosa.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

Everyone but damn Victor is playing in a real reactionary way.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Surprisingly, for a painting often dismissed as conservative and reactionary, some of the first adopters of its form were Black urban artists who saw the painting in Chicago in the 1930s.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of reactionary

Adjective

Less than four hours after polls closed, the country knew its presidential election was headed to a runoff between conservative challenger Flavio Bolsonaro and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

— Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Even leftist lawmakers support to some of those ideas in the wake of a corruption scandal that ensnared the court.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of leftist

Adjective

The lack of transparency in the incentives’ application process, alongside excessive bureaucracy and uncertainty, remain issues, although Japanese industry folk have similar complaints about applying for export support.

— Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
The Wolf of Wall Street, the Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie movie about Belfort’s wild and excessive life as a New York stockbroker and boiler room boss, was released through Paramount Pictures.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Smotrich urges removing Palestinian Authority control Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for extremist views, said the attack shows Israel needs to restrict the Palestinians’ freedom of movement in the West Bank.

— Shlomo Mor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Paporakis had hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and a manifesto expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of extremist

Adjective

Reducing the death sentences could help him in a primary with a Democratic base of like-minded liberal voters, but potentially hurt him in a general election with a national electorate that supports capital punishment.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
She was elected twice to the Gardner Edgerton School District Board of Education, leaving halfway through her second term, along with other liberal school board members, after harassment from conservative parents.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of liberal

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“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of rightist

noun

adjective

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