reactionary

adjective

re·​ac·​tion·​ary rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē 

: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction

especially : ultraconservative in politics

reactionary noun

reactionaryism

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Synonyms

• archconservative
• brassbound
• button-down
• buttoned-down
• conservative
• die-hard
• hidebound
• mossbacked
• old-fashioned
• old-line
• old-school
• orthodox
• paleoconservative
• standpat
• traditional
• traditionalistic
• ultraconservative
• unprogressive

Examples of reactionary in a Sentence

reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

Recent Examples on the Web

Most podcasters are extremely reactionary and critical pertaining team performances not emphasizing enough on the injuries, team morale treating them like a unit of robots. —Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024

His practice also appeals to those looking to avoid the pitfalls of standard, reactionary medical treatments in favor of more natural, preventive options. —William Mullane, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Dec. 2024

The right, meanwhile, responded with reactionary gender politics, accusing the left of trying to destroy traditional masculinity entirely. —Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024

The types of things that tend to go beyond just reactionary anger. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reactionary

1 of 2 adjective

re·​ac·​tion·​ary

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē

: of, relating to, or favoring old-fashioned political or social ideas

reactionary

2 of 2 noun

plural reactionaries

: a reactionary person