reactionary
- of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.
- a reactionary person.
Origin of reactionary
Synonyms for reactionary
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for reactionary
Related Words for reactionist
rightist, traditionalist, ultraconservative, diehard, obscurantist, royalist, counterrevolutionary, Tory, mossback, intransigent, reactionist, standpatter, die-hardExamples from the Web for reactionist
Historical Examples of reactionist
Yet he has abandoned the policy of the late king by appointing a reactionist ministry.
"I care as much for the liberty of other people as for that of France," said a Federal to a reactionist.
History of the Commune of 1871P. Lissagary
Charlotte Corday was a reactionist, but she slew Marat and died calmly and bravely.
A Girl of the CommuneGeorge Alfred Henty
Rousseau was an exception, but then Rousseau was in truth a reactionist, and not a loyal member of the great company of reformers.
Diderot and the EncyclopdistsJohn Morley
Reactionist in, and it soon became the fashion to decry the once much-lauded philosopher.
The Sayings of ConfuciusConfucius
reactionary
reactionist
- of, relating to, or characterized by reaction, esp against radical political or social change
- a person opposed to radical change
Word Origin and History for reactionist
reactionary
1831, on model of French réactionnaire (19c.), from réaction (see reaction). In Marxist use, "tending toward reversing existing tendencies," opposed to revolutionary and used opprobriously in reference to opponents of communism, by 1858. As a noun, "person considered reactionary," especially in politics, one who seeks to check or undo political action, by 1855.
reactionary
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.