conservatism
[kuh n-sur-vuh-tiz-uh m]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for conservatism
Contemporary Examples
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 ExpatMichael Weiss
August 10, 2014
No longer is comedy going to be a covert assault on traditional American values, conservatism.
Phelps lay along a continuum of conservatism—not on the other side of a border from it.
These three trends all seem to spell major long-term problems for conservatism.
American women expressed their support and impatience when fighting puritanism and conservatism using Femen tactics.
Historical Examples
I freely say that the tendency of my thought, based on observation, is to conservatism.
'Tis Sixty Years SinceCharles Francis Adams
The conservatism of to-morrow injected into the affairs of to-day.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
Conservatism was out of favour just then, and the Liberals were in power.
Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2)William Delisle Hay
He is the embodiment of routine and conservatism, because he is the embodiment of mediocrity.
The Curse of EducationHarold E. Gorst
Radicalism and conservatism must combine together to make reform.
conservatism
- opposition to change and innovation
- a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change
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Conservatism
- the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
- the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party
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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
Word Origin and History for conservatism
n.
1835, in reference to the Conservative party in British politics; from conservative + -ism. From 1840 in reference to conservative principles generally.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
conservatism
A general preference for the existing order of society, and an opposition to efforts to bring about sharp change. (Compare liberalism.)
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.