unreconstructed

[ uhn-ree-kuhn-struhk-tid ]

adjective

1. stubbornly maintaining earlier positions, beliefs, etc.; not adjusted to new or current situations:

   an unreconstructed conservative.

2. U.S. History. (of Southern states) not accepting the conditions for reinstatement in the Union after the Civil War.

unreconstructed

/ ˌʌnriːkənsˈtrʌktɪd /

adjective

1. unwilling to accept social and economic change, as exemplified by those White Southerners who refused to accept the Reconstruction after the Civil War

Word History and Origins

Origin of unreconstructed¹

First recorded in 1865–70, Americanism; un- ¹ + reconstruct ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Flannery O’Connor’s thrillingly hard-edged tales about the unreconstructed South and its redemption-deficient malcontents will never lose their power to scratch us awake with their violence, humor and ugly truth.

From Los Angeles Times

Apparently an unreconstructed communist, he was quoted in a Russian-language publication saying of his family: “They went over to the other side of the barricades. I alone remain true to my convictions.”

From Los Angeles Times

In expanding the story for the version now running at the Ellen Stewart Theater, Billingsley added 12 supporting characters, most of whom make up Black and white choruses, representing the woke commentariat and unreconstructed racists.

From New York Times

That lasted until he bought Twitter and became the tweeter-in-chief, revealing himself as an unreconstructed right-wing antisemitic conspiracy monger.

From Los Angeles Times

Chinese officials characterize him as an untrustworthy, unreconstructed supporter of independence for Taiwan.

From New York Times

Related Words

• old-line
• ultraconservative