Synonyms of conservative

conservative 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈsər-və-tiv 

1

as in traditional

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions

conservative baseball fans consider the new ballpark too modern-looking and plain ugly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traditional
• orthodox
• ultraconservative
• loyal
• reactionary
• conventional
• staunch
• faithful
• archconservative
• old-line
• traditionalistic
• unprogressive
• steadfast
• hidebound
• old-school
• old-fashioned
• devoted
• die-hard
• paleoconservative
• standpat
• true
• buttoned-down
• button-down
• mossbacked
• neoconservative
• right-wing
• true-blue
• steady
• square
• brassbound
• stanch
• Tory
• stodgy
• ultraright
• ultrarightist
• fogyish
• ossified
• right
• antiliberal
• dowdy
• antimodern
• fogeyish
• fuddy-duddy
• set
• antiprogressive
• blimpish
• antirevolutionary
• antireform

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• progressive
• nontraditional
• nonconservative
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• nonconventional
• radical
• extremist
• revolutionary
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• antiestablishment
• modern
• contemporary
• nonconformist
• large-minded
• advanced
• nonorthodox
• antitraditional
• anticonventional
• lefty
• ultraleft
• ultraleftist
• ultraradical
• ultraprogressive

2

as in muted

not excessively showy

dressing in conservative outfits so as to make a good impression at job interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muted
• quiet
• restrained
• subdued
• repressed
• understated
• proper
• low-key
• simple
• appropriate
• unpretentious
• low-keyed
• unflashy
• fitting
• sober
• modest
• handsome
• suitable
• toned-down
• plain
• sensible
• graceful
• becoming
• fit
• practical
• unadorned
• unobtrusive
• inconspicuous
• tasteful
• undecorated
• drab
• mousy
• unnoticeable
• refined
• mousey

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• flamboyant
• noisy
• gaudy
• flashy
• swanky
• ostentatious
• garish
• glitzy
• swank
• splashy
• meretricious
• flaring
• vulgar
• fancy
• tawdry
• tasteless
• baroque
• tacky
• trashy
• inelegant
• gilt
• graceless
• razzle-dazzle
• gilded
• ornate
• frilly
• rococo
• overwrought
• overdecorated
• overdone

3

as in cautious

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble

made conservative investments, and so he wasn't ruined when the market went into a free fall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautious
• careful
• wary
• alert
• circumspect
• guarded
• considerate
• chary
• safe
• thoughtful
• gingerly
• heedful
• vigilant
• attentive
• watchful
• observant
• regardful
• awake
• foresighted
• shrewd
• deliberate
• slow
• cagey
• provident
• hypercautious
• canny
• calculating
• advertent
• forethoughtful
• foresightful
• cagy
• ultracareful
• ultracautious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• reckless
• unsafe
• bold
• regardless
• impetuous
• rash
• heedless
• unmindful
• brash
• unguarded
• venturesome
• unwary
• thoughtless
• inattentive
• negligent
• lax
• incautious
• asleep
• imprudent
• inconsiderate
• neglectful
• injudicious
• remiss
• indiscreet
• forgetful
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unplanned
• absentminded

conservative

2 of 2

noun

as in Tory

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

• Tory
• traditionalist
• rightist
• archconservative
• reactionary
• right-winger
• right
• right-wing
• paleoconservative
• bourbon
• conformist
• neoconservative
• neocon
• square
• standpatter
• Colonel Blimp
• diehard
• stuffed shirt
• fuddy-duddy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• leftist
• lefty
• red
• extremist
• progressive
• revolutionary
• revolutionist
• left-winger
• reformist
• radical
• reformer

Examples of conservative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The college is the epicenter of Florida's conservative overhaul of higher education — and this episode is the latest in a yearslong push to distance the institution from its progressive reputation. —Yacob Reyes, Axios, 16 Aug. 2024

Sadly, that kind of electoral punishment for conservative intolerance at the ballot box hasn’t helped save academic freedom at New College. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 16 Aug. 2024

Noun

Though conservatives had long opposed the precedent as concentrating too much power in the executive branch, Chevron offered at least three advantages for both new laws and laws whose regulations must be updated to account for changes over time. —David Blumenthal and Sara Rosenbaum, STAT, 6 Aug. 2024

With an eye on winning over conservatives considering Smiley, Newhouse's campaign has attacked her for creating a political action committee ostensibly aimed at raising money for Republican candidates but that the Seattle Times found had mostly worked to retire Smiley's 2022 campaign debt. —Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2024