Synonyms for

Reactionary

Verb / ri:ˈækʃʌˌneri: / Another word for reactionary — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

A person who is opposed to political or social change and wants to return to the way things were in the past.

Synonyms & similar words

ultraconservative reactionist farright extremerightwinger conservative traditionalist diehard old-fashioned unprogressive orthodox right-wing authoritarian regressive retrogressive ultraconservative anti-progressive counter-revolutionary paleoconservative reactionist conservator stick-in-the-mud conventionalist dinosaur bitter-ender

Synonyms by register

Formal

conservative traditionalist right-wing orthodox

Informal

old-fashioned stuck-in-the-past backwards

Literary

reactionary spirit die-hard

Antonyms

progressive liberal radical forward-thinking modernist reformist

Common collocations

  • reactionary policies
  • reactionary movement
  • reactionary ideas
  • reactionary forces
  • reactionary element
  • reactionary government
  • reactionary views

Word family

noun reactionary
adjective reactionary

Usage note

Often used to describe political or social views that oppose change and favor a return to a previous state. It carries a negative connotation for those who advocate for progress.

Example sentences

  1. The reactionary politician promised to take the country back to the way it was in the 1950s.
  2. My grandfather is a reactionary who believes that everything was better in the old days.
  3. The reactionary group protested against any changes to the school curriculum.
  4. Some people view the church as a reactionary institution that is resistant to change.
  5. The company's reactionary policies prevented it from adapting to the changing market.

Quotes

  • The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.
  • The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.
  • The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words