rightist

American  

[rahy-tist] / ˈraɪ tɪst /

adjective

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. of or relating to conservative or reactionary political views; noting or characteristic of the political Right.

---

noun

1. a member or supporter of the political Right; conservative or reactionary.

rightist British  

/ ˈraɪtɪst /

adjective

1. of, tending towards, or relating to the political right or its principles; conservative, traditionalist, or reactionary

---

noun

1. a person who supports or belongs to the political right

Other Word Forms

• rightism
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of rightist

First recorded in 1935–40; right + -ist

---

Compare meaning

How does rightist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• leftist vs. rightist

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rightist

In his book “Why Not Moderation? Letters to Young Radicals,” published in 2023, Mr. Craiutu responds to two fictional zealots, Lauren and Rob, one an intolerant progressive, the other a hard-leaning rightist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

He was first cast out during the "Hundred Flowers Campaign" in the 1950s, when his criticism of Mao's "irrational" economic policies saw him labelled a "rightist".

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

The program also saw federal law enforcement target anti-war protesters, civil rights activists, feminist groups, New Left organizations and even some rightist organizations, like the Ku Klux Klan.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2025

They have also fed public disenchantment with the country’s political class as Portugal prepares to celebrate 50 years of democracy, following the Carnation Revolution that toppled a rightist dictatorship on April 25, 1974.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 24, 2024

Could he really be a rightist after all?

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• conservative
• traditionalist

---