as in Tories
a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are
proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 conservatives
The only difference in 2021-2022 was that wealth extracted from the private sector was suddenly inflation to conservatives.
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Many groups want to spur midterm turnout among Black voters, and others are disenchanted with white conservatives' maneuvers in racially diverse places.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The post compared the plight of Jews during the Holocaust to modern-day American conservatives, thus minimizing the Holocaust.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 May 2026
Cassidy has used his influence atop the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in ways that have both irked and delighted conservatives.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
The dissent’s methodology seems like an instance of textualism, the preferred statutory interpretation theory of most conservatives, which purports to ignore legislative purpose.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
At the same time, a growing backlash has taken shape among conservatives in recent months, casting the programs as wasteful and vulnerable to abuse.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026
However, resistance from conservatives within his own governing coalition as well as opposition from President Karol Nawrocki, a staunch Catholic, have stalled the efforts.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
The series written by Tolkien, a devout Catholic, became a popular franchise with conservatives.
—Alexander Hall, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Many groups want to spur midterm turnout among Black voters, and others are disenchanted with white conservatives' maneuvers in racially diverse places.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The post compared the plight of Jews during the Holocaust to modern-day American conservatives, thus minimizing the Holocaust.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 May 2026
Cassidy has used his influence atop the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in ways that have both irked and delighted conservatives.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
The dissent’s methodology seems like an instance of textualism, the preferred statutory interpretation theory of most conservatives, which purports to ignore legislative purpose.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
At the same time, a growing backlash has taken shape among conservatives in recent months, casting the programs as wasteful and vulnerable to abuse.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026
However, resistance from conservatives within his own governing coalition as well as opposition from President Karol Nawrocki, a staunch Catholic, have stalled the efforts.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
The series written by Tolkien, a devout Catholic, became a popular franchise with conservatives.
—Alexander Hall, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservatives
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
-
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
Noun
-
For decades, right-wingers have put all things PBS on the chopping block to save money, or make way to fund other items that politicians value more.—
Tommy Foltz,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When left- and right-wingers agree that the United States is unrepresentative, that represents a mandate for disruption—from Trump in 2024 to Mamdani in 2025.—
Will Johnson,
Time,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The crisis tests Pope Leo XIV’s pledge to heal divisions with traditionalists, coming after Pope Francis’ 2021 crackdown on the Latin Mass sparked deep anger among church conservatives.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
What Musgraves is doing here is not like the bro-country guys who ease off trap drums to appease country traditionalists.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
This is the first year of the league’s new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal with the three networks.—
Mike Prada,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Preborn children are human beings with inherent rights, dignity and worth that no contract should supersede.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Like Curtis Yarvin and other neo-reactionaries, Land abhors democracy.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In middle age, some sports fans become reactionaries.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conservatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservatives. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
