conservatism

[ kuhn-sur-vuh-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.
2. the principles and practices of political conservatives.

conservatism

¹

/ kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. opposition to change and innovation
2. a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change

Conservatism

²

/ kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
2. the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party

conservatism

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

Other Words From

• anti·con·serva·tism noun
• hyper·con·serva·tism noun
• over·con·serva·tism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservatism¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

The main cause, she said, was fiscal conservatism and advocating for kids at a moment of crisis for public education.

From 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.

From 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.

From Ozy

That’s going to transform conservatism for at least a generation.

From Ozy

Why not dress up conservatism with more compassionate rhetoric rather than green eyeshades?

From The Daily Beast

Fifty Years ago, “The Paranoid Style of American Politics” changed how we think about modern conservatism.

From The Daily Beast

This may seem like a contradiction, if “conservative” means political conservatism.

From The Daily Beast

His conservatism, which is more of a cultural than political kidney, seems to fascinate, delight or detract critics.

From The Daily Beast

And we had a long talk about libertarian social conservatism with some diners making a defense of its creeds.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, the increased radicalism of the few was more than counterbalanced by the intensified conservatism of the many.

From Project Gutenberg

One would look in vain for a better example of the conservatism of the legal profession.

From Project Gutenberg

How far can Conservatism be induced to plan and construct before it resists the thrust towards change.

From Project Gutenberg

It's the peculiarity of English conservatism that it's persistently progressive and rejuvenescent.

From Project Gutenberg

Conservatism cannot emancipate itself from the conditions of the age.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• moderation
• orthodoxy