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

This means the stock and options markets should be stuck in a volatile reactionary state for a prolonged period.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The democratic London dandy’s Parisian cousin was a reactionary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

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 • Dec. 27, 2025

Instead, it’s rooted in the visual and emotional language of horror films, especially the more reactionary tales of demonic possession, such as “The Exorcist” and “The Conjuring.”

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2025

I knew that it was a reactionary project, but it at least showed that you were developing some political consciousness.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• archconservative
• counterrevolutionary
• regressive
• rightist
• ultraconservative