the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.
the principles and practices of political conservatives.
the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party
opposition to change and innovation
a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change
First recorded in 1825–35; conservat(ive) + -ism
When people discuss politics and mention the word conservatism, they're talking about a philosophy that favors making few changes in society, sticking with traditions, and often spending as little money as possible. Conservatism is most often used to describe the beliefs of right-wing politicians and the people who tend to vote for them. There are some who practice fiscal conservatism — which focuses on reducing spending and cutting budgets — while being more liberal socially. Social conservatism tends to favor things like traditional roles for women and men, and to object to major changes in society like same sex marriage. A person who embraces conservatism is called a conservative.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his recitation of the precepts that comprise conservatism, Mr. Pence offers a catalog of beliefs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
Kim, who in 2020 was one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress, does vote to advance Trump policies, but her biography is more consistent with an earlier era of conservatism.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
Business customers have been slow to adopt artificial-intelligence tools in a systematic way, but some of that conservatism is beginning to fade.
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
His strident nationalism over the border conflict with Cambodia, his staunch support for the army and his intense loyalty to King Vajiralongkorn all defined him clearly as the standard-bearer for Thai conservatism.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
Was there anything about the Chinese environment predisposing toward Confucian philosophy and cultural conservatism, which may also have profoundly affected history?
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
