reactionary

adjective

re·​ac·​tion·​ary rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce reactionary (audio)
Synonyms of reactionarynext
: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction
especially : ultraconservative in politics
reactionary noun
reactionaryism noun

Examples of reactionary in a Sentence

reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dreher is well aware that this reactionary outlook strikes many people as ludicrous. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 On the other hand, Hachette is writing a generous check to the man who just gave reactionary parents the de facto power to ban it. James Folta, Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026 The reactionary anti-woke moment of the 2020s feels as deflated as ever, and our collective nostalgia for 2016 appears to offer the chance at something of a do-over. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2026 But in most people, facial bloating and undereye puffiness are usually just reactionary. Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reactionary

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reactionary was in 1815

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Cite this Entry

“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactionary. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

reactionary

1 of 2 adjective
re·​ac·​tion·​ary
rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē
: of, relating to, or favoring old-fashioned political or social ideas

reactionary

2 of 2 noun
plural reactionaries
: a reactionary person

More from Merriam-Webster on reactionary

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