Definition of conservatismnext
as in conservativeness
attitudes or opinions tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions the state's well-known conservatism means that progressive legislation always has an uphill battle

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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 conservatism The writer-director does see a likelihood that this could stand out to viewers as interesting at a time when a range of political leaders around the world follow a right-wing conservatism that seems to have little interest in emotions. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026 The administration says that this risk model is too cautious, leading to costly conservatism in reactor design, staffing redundancies and stringency in licensing. Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026 Claiming that Blacks and Latinos were gaining social and economic footing in American life at the expense of white people, Reagan conservatism attracted democrats and republicans alike under the umbrella of white rage. Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026 Although the conservatism in this presentation is understandable, most observers believe the federal government will grant the state’s request. Paul Francis, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conservatism

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“Conservatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservatism. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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