Synonyms for

Conservative

Verb / kʌˈnsɜ:vʌtɪv / Another word for conservative — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

adjective - holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.

Synonyms & similar words

cautious bourgeois conservative buttondown materialistic liberal conservativist buttoneddown traditional cautious moderate controlled stable prudent careful reserved conventional modest restrained temperate timid guarded continual constant continuous endless lasting perpetual

Synonyms by register

Formal

traditionalist orthodox conventional staid

Informal

old-fashioned traditional establishment

Literary

die-hard unbending

Antonyms

liberal progressive radical modern innovative revolutionary forward-thinking

Common collocations

  • conservative party
  • conservative estimate
  • conservative approach
  • conservative values
  • conservative government
  • conservative dress
  • conservative opinion

Word family

noun conservatism
adjective conservative
adverb conservatively

Usage note

Often used in political contexts, but can also describe adherence to tradition or caution in general. Be mindful of its potentially negative connotations when used to imply resistance to change.

Example sentences

  1. She is a very conservative dresser, always wearing neutral colors and simple styles.
  2. Her parents are very conservative and don't like change.
  3. The conservative estimate for the project was three months, but it ended up taking six.
  4. He is a conservative when it comes to spending money, always saving for a rainy day.
  5. The conservative party won the election by a narrow margin.

Quotes

  • Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives. - John Stuart Mill
  • A conservative is a man who just sits and thinks, mostly sits. - Woodrow Wilson
  • A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs, who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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