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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in veteran
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
Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
But now, having spread, the new reactionary thought seems to have lost some of its momentum.
—James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
In middle age, some sports fans become reactionaries.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Adjective
There’s a long tradition of artists and activists using their platforms to take issue with the reactionary politics of their parents.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
But now, having spread, the new reactionary thought seems to have lost some of its momentum.
—James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Like Curtis Yarvin and other neo-reactionaries, Land abhors democracy.
—James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
In middle age, some sports fans become reactionaries.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactionary
Adjective
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The idol system, concentrated around what’s known as the big four companies—HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG—is coming off as sluggish and conservative.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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In Minnesota specifically, there have been a total of 138 cases involving some sort of voter fraud between 2004 and 2025, according to data compiled by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For three innings against the Washington Nationals, Boyd pitched like the veteran who earned his All-Star honor a year ago.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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DeRozan, a 36-year-old veteran in his 17th NBA season, had another big game less than two weeks after posting 41 points and 11 assists in a win over the Utah Jazz.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden maintained a traditional, strong alliance with Israel, including enormous military assistance, but avoided being drawn into sustained military combat in the Middle East.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Here, the train rolls into one of Scotland’s most remote stations, arriving via a line built up on a raft of roots and brushwood because traditional foundations failed in the boggy ground.—
Rosie Conroy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ver had initially gone the orthodox route of hiring tax attorneys from a prestigious law firm, Steptoe.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
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Despite the revolving door of presidents, Peru’s economy has been stable over the past decade, with governments sticking to orthodox economic policies that include modest fiscal spending, while international companies have been encouraged to invest in areas like mining and infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactionary. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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