reactionary

[ ree-ak-shuh-ner-ee ]
/ riˈæk ʃəˌnɛr i /

adjective

of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.

noun, plural re·ac·tion·ar·ies.

a reactionary person.
Sometimes re·ac·tion·ist [ree-ak-shuh-nist] /riˈæk ʃə nɪst/.

Origin of reactionary

1830–40; reaction + -ary; compare French réactionnaire

SYNONYMS FOR reactionary

1, 2 ultraconservative.

ANTONYMS FOR reactionary

1, 2 radical.

OTHER WORDS FROM reactionary

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reactionary

proactive reactionary reactive

Words nearby reactionary

reaction engine, reaction formation, reaction of degeneration, reaction time, reaction turbine, reactionary, reactivate, reactive, reactive component, reactive depression, reactive hyperemia

British Dictionary definitions for reactionarism

reactionary

reactionist

/ (rɪˈækʃənərɪ, -ʃənrɪ) /

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by reaction, esp against radical political or social change

noun plural -aries or -ists

a person opposed to radical change

Derived forms of reactionary

reactionism, noun

Cultural definitions for reactionarism

reactionary

An extremely conservative person or position that not only resists change but seeks to return to the “good old days” of an earlier social order.