royalist

[ roi-uh-list ]

noun

1. a supporter or adherent of a king or royal government, especially in times of rebellion or civil war.
2. (initial capital letter) a Cavalier adherent of Charles I of England.
3. a loyalist in the American Revolution; Tory.
4. (initial capital letter) an adherent of the house of Bourbon in France.

adjective

1. of or relating to royalists:

   royalist sympathies.

royalist

/ ˈrɔɪəlɪst /

noun

1. a supporter of a monarch or monarchy, esp a supporter of the Stuarts during the English Civil War
2. informal.
   an extreme reactionary or conservative

   an economic royalist

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to royalists

Derived Forms

• ˈroyalism, noun

Other Words From

• royal·ism noun
• royal·istic adjective
• anti·royal·ism noun
• anti·royal·ist noun adjective
• non·royal·ist noun
• ultra·royal·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of royalist¹

First recorded in 1635–45; royal + -ist

Example Sentences

In the process, they drew it into a civil war between republican nationalists and royalists.

From Salon

Both of her parents are British, and she said that while her daughter had told her it was not “cool” to be a royalist, she had a fondness for the House of Windsor.

From New York Times

Thaksin’s release, after almost two decades of antipathy between his populist political machine and Thailand’s conservative royalist ruling class, raised speculation that Yingluck also might be returning soon.

From Seattle Times

Thaksin, Thailand's most successful elected leader, has long been feared by conservative royalists, who have backed military coups and contentious court cases to weaken him.

From BBC

But days later, the king commuted Mr. Thaksin’s sentence to one year, fueling speculation that he had struck a deal with powerful royalists.

From New York Times

Related Words

• archconservative
• right-winger
• rightist
• traditionalist