as in conservatives
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 traditionalists
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
Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 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
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
The good news for the traditionalists is that everyone seems to agree that the FA Cup is still an important endeavour.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Tasked specifically with filming Jackie Kennedy, Maysles did that job and more, capturing telling moments—the future first lady nervously fidgeting with her white gloves, for example—that traditionalists felt should have remained private.
—Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 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
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
The good news for the traditionalists is that everyone seems to agree that the FA Cup is still an important endeavour.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Tasked specifically with filming Jackie Kennedy, Maysles did that job and more, capturing telling moments—the future first lady nervously fidgeting with her white gloves, for example—that traditionalists felt should have remained private.
—Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traditionalists
conservatives
Noun
-
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,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traditionalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traditionalists. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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