Luddites

Cultural  

1. Opponents of the introduction of labor-saving machinery. The original Luddites, followers of a legendary Ned Ludd, were British laborers of the early nineteenth century who smashed textile-making machines that threatened their jobs.

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Contemporary opponents of technological change are sometimes called “Luddites.”

Example Sentences

But the folks running Augusta National are not Luddites.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Doctors didn’t grow hostile toward EHRs because they were Luddites; they were simply frustrated with tools that demanded too much and offered too little in return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Call me a Luddite, but I’ll take it as a compliment—after all, Luddites started the original rebellion against Big Tech.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2023

Just like the Luddites did to the power looms.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2023

The wounded Luddites were lifted and carried into the mill, and Mr. Cartwright sent at once for the nearest surgeon, who was speedily upon the spot.

From Through the Fray A Tale of the Luddite Riots by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)