Luddites

Cultural  

1. Opponents of the introduction of labor-saving machinery. The original Luddites, followers of a legendary Ned Ludd, were British laborers of the early nineteenth century who smashed textile-making machines that threatened their jobs.

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Contemporary opponents of technological change are sometimes called “Luddites.”

Example Sentences

The Gray Lady’s dreary Luddites are as suspicious of Times management as they are of Silicon Valley.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Professors who are Luddites or have used the same syllabus for years sometimes struggle to get out of that state of inertia, Cook said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

What’s more, it’s a way to engage in a kind of history that points toward a different kind of world, without being accused of being Luddites or becoming toxic nostalgics.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

Just like the Luddites did to the power looms.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2023

The Luddites on their retreat had scattered to their villages, the main body returning to Huddersfield and appearing at their work as usual in the morning.

From Through the Fray A Tale of the Luddite Riots by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)