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.
—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
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) acknowledged on Wednesday that the upper chamber is now eyeing a third reconciliation bill that some conservatives at one point worried would not materialize.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
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Many eyes will be on the Peach State as Governor Brian Kemp completes his second term, unable to run again, and leaving a vacuum for a new conservative, or liberal, leader in the South.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Among some fraction of liberal voters, however, any concession to the technology’s utility is increasingly regarded as gauche, at best—and, at worst, a sign of reactionary corporate centrism.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The recent fatal accident at LaGuardia International Airport in New York highlighted how reactionary the aviation safety system can be.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The more liberal the target (liberal, not leftist), the better.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
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The Greens have embraced a radical mix of leftist politics and pro-Palestinian activism — sprinkled with just a dash of their titular environmentalism.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The two highest-ranking Republicans in the state legislature called Wednesday for former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart to consider dropping out of the governor’s race over reported excessive spending on the city’s credit card.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Parents Alexus Benavidez and Rauf Scott of Collin County filed a complaint this month against Kids ‘R’ Kids of Lawler Farm in Frisco, alleging their 3-year-old son was the victim of excessive physical force that included yanking, spanking and smacking the toddler.—
Lina Ruiz
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Police are investigating whether an extremist group, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, which has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks, is formally linked to the Iranian government.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Mali has been ruled by a military junta that took power in a 2020 coup, promising to restore security amid a surge of extremist attacks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Lean into that savory flavor with a liberal pour of olive brine.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
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The liberal mind is fascinating.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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