as in conservative
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions
reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rightist
a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are
reactionaries tried to stop the passage of the legislation extending civil rights
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fogey
a person with old-fashioned ideas
a reactionary in the nation's ongoing culture war, she seems to believe that watching any TV at all will rot your brain
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reactionary
Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
The resulting reactionary war on culture turned out to be much bigger than antagonism against punk.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 31 Aug. 2025
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Adjective
In this climate of fear and misinformation, some companies are making reactionary decisions based on politics rather than sound strategy.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
The resulting reactionary war on culture turned out to be much bigger than antagonism against punk.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Khomeini was simultaneously the agent of Communists and of reactionaries, the editorial charged.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary
Adjective
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Following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University, tributes have poured in from across the country—including from several Dancing With the Stars alumni.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Young America’s Foundation, the latter’s parent organization, is similar to Kirk’s conservative student group Turning Point USA.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Red mesh iron bookshelves and traditional Italian kitchen towels suspended like airy curtains from the ceiling add to the quirky interior.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Kirk capitalized on the widening gap to position himself as a conservative cultural authority on traditional values and religion.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Its proposals to support grocery stores in stocking more produce, introduce markets to food deserts, serve healthy meals to students and veterans, and limit junk-food ads targeted at children all sound promising, but the report offers few specifics on implementation.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
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According to a statement from the North Little Rock police Department, Norman, a 27-year veteran of the department, was charged with one count of domestic battery in the third degree.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And even though the military is short of manpower, the government refuses to draft ultra-orthodox men, whose religious political parties are key to the Netanyahu coalition.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Traditional music and Kolo dancing by Prazna Flasa Tambura, the Ansambl Sokoli, the Seoske Dame singers, and DJ Dex, with a presentation from Parish Priest, Father Milos Zivkovic on orthodox religious traditions and specialty vendors with music, books, jewelry, and icons for sale.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionary. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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