reactionary

Sometimes re·ac·tion·ist

[ree-ak-shuh-ner-ee]

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

noun

plural

reactionaries 

1. a reactionary person.

   Synonyms: ultraconservative
   Antonyms: radical

reactionary

/ -ʃənrɪ, rɪˈækʃənərɪ /

adjective

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

noun

1. a person opposed to radical change

reactionary

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reactionary¹

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

Example Sentences

But in practice, it often serves as a megaphone for reactionary voices, particularly on issues of race, gender and trans identity.

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Given the reactionary extremism that characterizes power in today’s world, it is also timely.

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But like so many of my peers, I am acutely suffering under this reactionary authoritarian regime.

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The recent surge in reactionary politics has been accompanied by a tidal wave of “trad” propaganda, which argues that feminism is bad for women and they would be happier in circumvented roles at home.

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Long reactionary in their politics and social structure, these states’ business-friendly policies now have something to teach the progressive Golden State.

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Related Words

• archconservative 
• counterrevolutionary 
• regressive 
• rightist 
• ultraconservative