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reactionary

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅ac⋅tion⋅ar⋅y

  [ree-ak-shuh-ner-ee] adjective, noun, plural -ar⋅ies.
Use reactionary in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, esp. extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.
–noun
2. a reactionary person.
Also, re⋅ac⋅tion⋅ist.

Origin:
1830–40; reaction + -ary; cf. F réactionnaire

Related forms:
re⋅ac⋅tion⋅ism, re⋅ac⋅tion⋅ar⋅y⋅ism, re⋅ac⋅tion⋅ar⋅ism  [ree-ak-shuh-nuh-riz-uhm] , noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. ultraconservative.

Antonyms:
1, 2. radical.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reactionary
re·ac·tion·ar·y   (rē-āk'shə-něr'ē)   
adj.  Characterized by reaction, especially opposition to progress or liberalism; extremely conservative.
n.   pl. re·ac·tion·ar·ies
An opponent of progress or liberalism; an extreme conservative.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

reactionary 
1840, on model of Fr. réactionnaire (19c.), from réaction (see reaction). In Marxist use, opposed to revolutionary and used opprobriously in ref. to opponents of communism (1858).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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