conservatism

[ kuhn-sur-vuh-tiz-uhm ]

/ kənˈsɜr vəˌtɪz əm /

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See synonyms for conservatism on Thesaurus.com

noun

the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.

the principles and practices of political conservatives.

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Origin of conservatism

First recorded in 1825–35; conservat(ive) + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM conservatism

an·ti·con·serv·a·tism, nounhy·per·con·serv·a·tism, nouno·ver·con·serv·a·tism, noun

Words nearby conservatism

conservation of linear momentum, conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, conservation of parity, conservation status, conservatism, conservative, Conservative Baptist, Conservative Jew, Conservative Judaism, Conservative party

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conservatism in a sentence

With his stupefying unoriginality, Mandel sounds exactly like innumerable congressional Republicans who clawed their way to Washington by espousing an anti-Washington-cocktail-circuit stance as conservatism.
Will Senate Republicans allow their louts to rule the party?|George Will|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
The main cause, she said, was fiscal conservatism and advocating for kids at a moment of crisis for public education.
Even Deeper in the Wilderness, San Diego Republicans Face Major Choice|Scott Lewis|November 24, 2020|Voice of San Diego
For at least a generation, Republicans have been the dominant force on the board, and their guiding ethos has been fiscal conservatism.
What Republicans Say They’ll Do if They Keep Control of the Board of Supervisors|Jesse Marx|October 20, 2020|Voice of San Diego
I grew up in a conservative place, but more than anything, to me what conservatism really is, is it’s just that hardworking background.
Full Transcript: Tomi Lahren on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’|Daniel Malloy|August 31, 2020|Ozy

That’s going to transform conservatism for at least a generation.
Full Transcript: Sean Spicer on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’|Daniel Malloy|August 26, 2020|Ozy
Why not dress up conservatism with more compassionate rhetoric rather than green eyeshades?
John Kasich: The GOP’s Hobbled 2016 Dark Horse|W. James Antle III|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fifty Years ago, “The Paranoid Style of American Politics” changed how we think about modern conservatism.
Paranoia Crept into American Political Life a Long Time Ago|Lewis Beale|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This may seem like a contradiction, if “conservative” means political conservatism.
Supreme Court to Gay-Marriage Foes: Get Lost|Jay Michaelson|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His conservatism, which is more of a cultural than political kidney, seems to fascinate, delight or detract critics.
Whit Stillman on the 20th Anniversary of ‘Barcelona’, His New Amazon Series, and the Myth of the Ugly Expat|Michael Weiss|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And we had a long talk about libertarian social conservatism with some diners making a defense of its creeds.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me|P. J. O’Rourke|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Furthermore, the increased radicalism of the few was more than counterbalanced by the intensified conservatism of the many.
The English Church in the Eighteenth Century|Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton
One would look in vain for a better example of the conservatism of the legal profession.
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
How far can Conservatism be induced to plan and construct before it resists the thrust towards change.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
It's the peculiarity of English conservatism that it's persistently progressive and rejuvenescent.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
Conservatism cannot emancipate itself from the conditions of the age.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883|Various

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (1 of 2)

conservatism

/ (kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm) /

noun

opposition to change and innovation

a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (2 of 2)

Conservatism

/ (kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm) /

noun (in Britain, Canada, etc)

the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party

the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for conservatism

conservatism

A general preference for the existing order of society, and an opposition to efforts to bring about sharp change. (Compare liberalism.)

conservatism

Origin of conservatism

OTHER WORDS FROM conservatism

Words nearby conservatism

Words related to conservatism

How to use conservatism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (2 of 2)

Cultural definitions for conservatism