Reactionary

Quick meaning: Reactionary is an adjective meaning (politics) Extremely conservative; opposing revolution (such as the French Revolution); favoring a return to a "golden age" of the past.

Meaning

(politics) Extremely conservative; opposing revolution (such as the French Revolution); favoring a return to a "golden age" of the past.

More Meanings

1. (chemistry) Of, pertaining to, participating in, or inducing a chemical reaction.
2. In reaction to; as a result of.
3. (politics) One who opposes revolution, wanting to reverse it, favoring a return to a past golden age, often used derogatorily by revolutionaires.

Example Sentences

The regulator noted that reduced service levels and passenger numbers helped deliver strong performance, with fewer reactionary delays.

Hindu reactionaries, whose conception of a well-ordered society had not moved beyond the laws of Manu, fell into line for the moment with the intellectual products of the modern Indian University.

[Jeffrey] Epstein was interested in transhumanism, a theory of human perfection via technological manipulation that—like its predecessor, eugenics—is shot through with racist and reactionary ideas.

Within certain MAGA circles, to criticize someone for being too racist or reactionary is a betrayal, signaling an acceptance of the very liberal morality that the movement’s vanguard seeks to destroy.

Word Forms

• reactionaries

Synonyms for reactionary

Depending on context, synonyms include antiprogressive, regressive, right, ultraconservative, far-right.

Antonyms for reactionary

Common opposites include progressive, nonreactionary.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include ultraconservative, far-right, right, conservative, backward-looking, reactive.

Related Dictionary Tools