reactionary

American  

[ree-ak-shuh-ner-ee] / riˈæk ʃəˌnɛr i /

Sometimes reactionist

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.

   Synonyms:

   ultraconservative

   Antonyms:

   radical

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noun

plural

reactionaries

1. a reactionary person.

   Synonyms:

   ultraconservative

   Antonyms:

   radical

reactionary British  

/ -ʃənrɪ, rɪˈækʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by reaction, esp against radical political or social change

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noun

1. a person opposed to radical change

reactionary Cultural  

1. An extremely conservative person or position that not only resists change but seeks to return to the “good old days” of an earlier social order.

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Other Word Forms

• antireactionary noun
• half-reactionary adjective
• nonreactionary adjective
• reactionarism noun
• reactionaryism noun
• reactionism noun
• semireactionary adjective
• unreactionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of reactionary

1830–40; reaction + -ary; compare French réactionnaire

Example Sentences

These businesses were picked almost certainly because Shirley and his colleagues have tapped into the long-standing tendency of paranoid reactionaries to make day cares the subject of conspiracy theories.

From Salon

Reflecting on how the works came together over 14 years, he said it was "very reactionary" and speaks of "instability in the world".

From BBC

The economic pinch, mixed with thriving reactionary online culture and tense gender dynamics, creates a fertile soil for groups like Park's to recruit from.

From BBC

Deeply discount the moaning of Hollywood reactionaries and certain podcasters trying to edge themselves into the spotlight.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is a pejorative word—reactionary—to describe such an enterprise.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• archconservative
• counterrevolutionary
• regressive
• rightist
• ultraconservative