conservatism

[ kuh n-sur-vuh-tiz-uh m ]

/ kənˈsɜr vəˌtɪz əm /

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.

Words nearby conservatism

conservation of linear momentum, conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, conservation of parity, conservationist, conservatism, conservative, conservative baptist, conservative jew, conservative judaism, conservative party

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for conservatism

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
No longer is comedy going to be a covert assault on traditional American values, conservatism.
The Silly Conservative War on Stephen Colbert|Kevin Bleyer|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Phelps lay along a continuum of conservatism—not on the other side of a border from it.
Fred Phelps, Friend of the Gays|Jay Michaelson|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These three trends all seem to spell major long-term problems for conservatism.
Millennials Unfriend Democrats|Kristen Soltis Anderson|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

American women expressed their support and impatience when fighting puritanism and conservatism using Femen tactics.
Femen's Topless Sextremists Invade the US|Lizzie Crocker|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We find then two tendencies which always exist in any progressive society—radicalism and conservatism.
The Radicalism of Shelley and Its Sources|Daniel J. MacDonald
Reform, Conservatism, and himself—he is an independent member, and has been described as a Conservative Reformer.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, October 16, 1841|Various
He is the embodiment of routine and conservatism, because he is the embodiment of mediocrity.
The Curse of Education|Harold E. Gorst
An almost unmistakable sign of "an old family" in America is conservatism in expenditure and modes of life.
The Secret Life |Elizabeth Bisland
The reason is obvious to a little close thinking: Ignorance is at once a safeguard against and a promoter of conservatism.
How to Listen to Music, 7th ed.|Henry Edward Krehbiel

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

Culture 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

noun

Content related to conservatism

Words related to conservatism

Words nearby conservatism

Origin of conservatism

OTHER WORDS FROM conservatism

Examples from the Web for conservatism

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (2 of 2)

noun (in Britain, Canada, etc)

Culture definitions for conservatism