Synonyms of reactionary

reactionary 1 of 2

adjective

rē-ˈak-shə-ˌner-ē 

as in conservative

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions

reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservative
• traditional
• orthodox
• loyal
• conventional
• unprogressive
• ultraconservative
• hidebound
• staunch
• traditionalistic
• old-fashioned
• old-line
• old-school
• archconservative
• faithful
• standpat
• steadfast
• die-hard
• devoted
• paleoconservative
• true
• button-down
• right-wing
• mossbacked
• neoconservative
• brassbound
• square
• Tory
• steady
• stodgy
• true-blue
• ossified
• ultraright
• antiliberal
• antimodern
• ultrarightist
• dowdy
• right
• fuddy-duddy
• fogyish
• set
• blimpish
• antiprogressive
• antirevolutionary
• antireform

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• progressive
• radical
• revolutionary
• extremist
• nontraditional
• nonconservative
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• nonconventional
• antiestablishment
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• modern
• nonconformist
• contemporary
• large-minded
• advanced
• nonorthodox
• antitraditional
• anticonventional
• lefty
• ultraleft
• ultraleftist
• ultraradical
• ultraprogressive

reactionary

2 of 2

noun

1

as in rightist

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are

reactionaries tried to stop the passage of the legislation extending civil rights

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservative
• rightist
• traditionalist
• Tory
• right-winger
• archconservative
• right-wing
• paleoconservative
• conformist
• neocon
• neoconservative
• right
• standpatter
• stuffed shirt
• bourbon
• Colonel Blimp
• diehard
• fuddy-duddy
• square

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• leftist
• lefty
• extremist
• revolutionary
• red
• progressive
• revolutionist
• reformist
• left-winger
• radical
• reformer

2

as in veteran

a person with old-fashioned ideas

a reactionary in the nation's ongoing culture war, she seems to believe that watching any TV at all will rot your brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conservative
• veteran
• fogy
• fossil
• mossback
• stuffed shirt
• stick-in-the-mud
• rightist
• Colonel Blimp
• antediluvian
• fuddy-duddy
• fud
• Tory
• dodo
• old hand
• mandarin
• old maid
• old-timer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• trendy
• liberal
• hipster
• progressive
• radical

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reactionary

Adjective

The Court has been persistently reactionary in its dealings with other branches, using horizontal review to protect enslavers from abolitionists, bosses from unions, and tycoons from tax collectors. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Palladium is a quarterly publication whose founders were active in online neo-reactionary circles. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Noun

But to his legions of enemies — from MAGA reactionaries to the Anti-Defamation League to mere centrist Democrats — Piker is a loudmouth extremist who’s actively harming the country. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

Some reactionaries will always find a reason to demand all-white entertainment, regardless of whether there are mermaids, hobbits, or lightsabers involved. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026