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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Despite conservative elation, there already are signs that some of Trump’s moves could backfire.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The shifts have also impacted soil health, further exposing crops to vulnerabilities that traditional remedies can no longer address.—
Valeria Kogan,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The traditional spring football schedule will soon look a lot different.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 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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Leicester had already received a warning that Merino was going to pose a more orthodox threat.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
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The gulf between the notions of do-it-yourself economics and orthodox economics is widest in the sphere of international trade.—
Steve H. Hanke,
National Review,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionary. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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