Definition of REACTIONARY (original) (raw)

: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction

especially : ultraconservative in politics

Synonyms

Examples of reactionary in a Sentence

reactionary guardians of proper English usage invariably regard every new coinage that comes along as a nonword

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Reagan’s anti-Berkeley campaign provided a blueprint for reactionary politics moving forward; going through a performance of disaffection from the university was a way to gesture towards (without always admitting) a broader disaffection with liberalism. —Adrian Daub / Made By History, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024 This is not necessarily the Jets’ brass being reactionary to Sunday’s loss. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The Supreme Court was packed with partisan and reactionary justices when Mitch McConnell denied President Obama an appointment and jammed through a third Trump appointee in the last few weeks of his administration. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024 The enthusiasm that these substances arouse in the field of psychiatry is inversely correlated with the sad reality that even the most reactionary guilds within psychiatry struggle to admit. —Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reactionary

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of reactionary was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near reactionary

Cite this Entry

“Reactionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactionary. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 27 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged