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.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on reactionary
Last Updated: 27 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!