as in conservative
a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are
a traditionalist who doesn't believe in expanding government
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Recent Examples of traditionalist
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
Leo, by contrast, has been making efforts to engage with conservative and traditionalist Catholics for much of his first year as Pope.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 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
Benji’s more of a traditionalist.
—Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Moreover, the traditionalist critics of contemporary art downplay that an embrace of mystery is key to understanding God.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Forget the video installations of Reina Sofía; traditionalist work reigns supreme here.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
For traditionalists, this link is not merely ceremonial but is the foundational bedrock of British identity.
—Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Producer Kathleen Kennedy calls herself a tech optimist and a traditionalist both.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Leo, by contrast, has been making efforts to engage with conservative and traditionalist Catholics for much of his first year as Pope.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 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
Benji’s more of a traditionalist.
—Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Moreover, the traditionalist critics of contemporary art downplay that an embrace of mystery is key to understanding God.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Forget the video installations of Reina Sofía; traditionalist work reigns supreme here.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
For traditionalists, this link is not merely ceremonial but is the foundational bedrock of British identity.
—Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Producer Kathleen Kennedy calls herself a tech optimist and a traditionalist both.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traditionalist
conservative
Noun
-
Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
Without enough conservatives to force compromise, contrasting ideas have to come from somewhere else, Akhavan said.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traditionalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traditionalist. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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