reactionary
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for reactionary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Strongly opposed to political or social change, and favouring a return to how things used to be.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
ultraconservative
extreme right-winger
reactionist
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Strongly opposed to political or social change, and favouring a return to how things used to be.
“The new leader took a reactionary stance on immigration.”
ultraconservative
extreme right-winger
reactionist
Opposites
2. noun
A person who opposes progress or reform and wants to restore an earlier state of affairs.
“Critics dismissed him as an out-of-touch reactionary.”
ultraconservative
Etymology
Borrowed from French réactionnaire, coined around the time of the French Revolution to describe opponents of revolutionary change.
Full origin of reactionary →Frequently asked questions
What does “reactionary” mean?
The word “reactionary” means strongly opposed to political or social change, and favouring a return to how things used to be. In plain terms, someone or something firmly against change, wanting to go back to the old ways.
How do you pronounce “reactionary”?
“Reactionary” is pronounced ree-AK-shuhn-ree (/ɹiˈæk.ʃəˌnɛɚ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “reactionary” in a sentence?
Here is “reactionary” used in a sentence: “The new leader took a reactionary stance on immigration.”
What is the opposite of “reactionary”?
The opposite of “reactionary” — its antonyms — is progressive.
What part of speech is “reactionary”?
Depending on how it is used, “reactionary” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “reactionary” come from?
The word “reactionary” comes from French. Borrowed from French réactionnaire, coined around the time of the French Revolution to describe opponents of revolutionary change.
Is “reactionary” a common word?
“Reactionary” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reactionary” have?
“Reactionary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strongly opposed to political or social change, and favouring a return to how things used to be.
