CONSERVATIVES Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

conservatives

noun

plural of conservative

as in Tories

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of conservatives Credit rating agencies typically don’t weigh in on campaigns and political debates, but fiscal conservatives say Wall Street is voicing concerns to those who listen carefully. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 The 21-year-old Michigan State senior is also head of the local chapter of Turning Point, the group for young conservatives whose founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated last year. — Jacqueline Ganun, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026 That unease is eroding faith in political leaders and fueling calls for upheaval across the spectrum, from young conservatives to students backing progressive challengers in Michigan. — Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 The current lows in public approval have been exacerbated by a drop in confidence among Republicans over the past year, even as overall support for the court remains higher among conservatives. — Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 Even before the announcement, Carnegie Mellon had growing ties to Florida, a state where conservatives have increased their influence on higher education. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 But the ad, by presenting Sweeney’s body as proof of heritable womanhood, served conservatives in another way, too. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Although tech giants and some unions support data center development, many people oppose it, and conservatives and progressives share that opposition. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 His conservatives and their grand coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), would have to agree on his successor, no easy feat. — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservatives

Noun

That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule.

— Kornel Chang September 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

Definition of rightists

Noun

Hegseth also announced that billionaire right-wingers Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey are going to help guide the future of the military, which doesn’t sound terrifying at all.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Gratified right-wingers closely examined the charges and pointed to the prosecution as validation of their belief that conservative Christians across America are being oppressed by violent left-leaning protesters.

— Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Definition of right-wingers

Noun

When brutal rationalism is challenged, especially by traditionalists, its defenders will often justify themselves by pointing to the intelligence of its adherents.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Silicon sampling troubles some polling traditionalists who are uneasy about ethical and other implications of simulating human responses.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of traditionalists

Noun

Its winner, whether filmmaker or rights holder, will give the platform an exclusive license to show the film for a limited period.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Citizenship-for-investment programs go further, offering more rights and a passport that opens doors abroad.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

An investigation into the apocalyptic thinking of Christian nationalists, tech-bro reactionaries and populist survivalists.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
America First ideologues, backed by the government in Washington, condemn Europe in pretty much the same terms that European reactionaries once used against the United States.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of reactionaries

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conservativeness

conservatives

conservator

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“Conservatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservatives. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of conservatives

noun

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