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
Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
While some people posted what joke-y responses to the rumors:
Others had far more reactionary takes about the rumors of Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama dating.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Between shocking personal revelations, examinations of the artist’s innermost fears, and carefree displays of affluence and mic technique, an image of reactionary modern masculinity emerges.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
Within the video game industry, there’s been reactionary movements against including minorities and marginalized groups, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s lack of non-white characters caused a certain type of audience to rally around the game because its world and inhabitants are majority white.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Adjective
In this framing, returning the marbles would be reactionary and nationalist; retaining them is progressive and cosmopolitan.
—Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
While some people posted what joke-y responses to the rumors:
Others had far more reactionary takes about the rumors of Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama dating.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Between shocking personal revelations, examinations of the artist’s innermost fears, and carefree displays of affluence and mic technique, an image of reactionary modern masculinity emerges.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
Within the video game industry, there’s been reactionary movements against including minorities and marginalized groups, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s lack of non-white characters caused a certain type of audience to rally around the game because its world and inhabitants are majority white.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary
Adjective
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Do conservative standard operating procedures inhibit innovative or entrepreneurial explorations capable of enhancing profitability?—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Despite conservative elation, there already are signs that some of Trump’s moves could backfire.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Metamask Card Brings Crypto Natives Real World Utility The critical innovation now happening is connecting these stablecoins directly to everyday payment systems without sacrificing self-custody: a principle that separates crypto from traditional finance.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Many were dressed in purple — the traditional color of the women’s liberation movement.—
Andrew Wilks,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The reporter asked if Mr. Trump is considering what the administration can do to help those veterans salvage their lives.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Stafford and the Rams agreed to a contract adjustment on Friday, ending several weeks of speculation about the 16-year veteran’s future.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Gone now is the academic theology, replaced by a pastor who is more interested in talking about Jesus on a personal level and leaving questions about orthodox doctrine to rulings from the Roman Curia.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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Understanding the Concept of Fire Watch A fire watch is a safety protocol instigated when a property's orthodox fire prevention measures are compromised, or altogether missing.—
Kyle Russell,
Austin American-Statesman,
22 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionary. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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