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

Neither technologists nor Luddites, these leaders share a taste for challenging the status quo and a resolute determination to fix something that matters—and are willing to learn whatever is necessary to do it.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Doctors didn’t grow hostile toward EHRs because they were Luddites; they were simply frustrated with tools that demanded too much and offered too little in return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Call me a Luddite, but I’ll take it as a compliment—after all, Luddites started the original rebellion against Big Tech.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2023

De La Torre was never judgmental during our one-hour chat, and his final answer about Luddites like me was perfectly rational — even empathetic.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023

In November many Luddites were convicted, and sixteen were executed by sentence of a special commission sitting at York.

From The Political History of England - Vol XI From Addington's Administration to the close of William IV.'s Reign (1801-1837) by Brodrick, George C. (George Charles)