reactionary

[ ree-ak-shuh-ner-ee ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.

   Synonyms: ultraconservative

   Antonyms: radical

noun

, plural re·ac·tion·ar·ies.

1. a reactionary person.

   Synonyms: ultraconservative

   Antonyms: radical

reactionary

/ -ʃənrɪ; rɪˈækʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by reaction, esp against radical political or social change

noun

1. a person opposed to radical change

reactionary

1. An extremely conservative person or position that not only resists change but seeks to return to the “good old days” of an earlier social order.

Derived Forms

• reˈactionism, noun

Other Words From

• re·action·ism re·action·ary·ism re·ac·tion·ar·ism [ree-, ak, -sh, uh, -n, uh, -riz-, uh, m], noun
• anti·re·action·ary noun plural antireactionaries adjective
• half-re·action·ary adjective
• nonre·action·ary adjective noun plural nonreactionaries
• semi·re·action·ary adjective noun plural semireactionaries
• unre·action·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reactionary¹

1830–40; reaction + -ary; compare French réactionnaire

Example Sentences

In addition, the election revealed the extent that Trump’s escalation of the so-called “culture wars,” positioned him with his followers as a self-styled defender of reactionary values against the tide of progressive reform.

From Salon

But Shaw said the response appeared "reactionary" and "very much reads as an excuse".

From BBC

Some of these derive from the Heritage Foundation’s notorious Project 2025, a road map to a reactionary future that is sure to animate many Trump administration policies.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, Californians defeated the reactionary measure in a more meaningful way by passing Proposition 3, which guarantees marriage rights without prejudice.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s one from a group shown in South America at the 1965 São Paulo Bienal, which coincided with the start of a reactionary military dictatorship in Brazil.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• archconservative
• counterrevolutionary
• regressive
• rightist
• ultraconservative