reactionary

reactionary or reactionist (rɪˈækʃənərɪ, -ʃənrɪ)

—*adj*
1.	of, relating to, or characterized by reaction, esp against radical political or social change

—n , -aries, -ists
2.	a person opposed to radical change

reactionist or reactionist

—*adj*

—n

re'actionism or reactionist

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

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).

American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

reactionary definition

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.

Example sentences

But the crusade also led to a contempt for architectural values, a reactionary climate that has benefitted no one.

The population is irrational, scientifically illiterate and prone to be reactionary and easily panicked.

There are some signs of a reactionary movement in the art of fiction.

Perhaps you can be a little less reactionary and spend a little more time actually understanding the problem.

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"Do the day's work. If it be to protect the rights of the weak, whoever objects, do it. If it be to help a powerful corporation better to serve the people, whatever the opposition, do that. Expect to be called a stand-patter, but don't be a stand-patter. Expect to be called a demagogue, but don't be a demagogue. Don't hesitate to be as revolutionary as science. Don't hesitate to be as reactionary as the multiplication table.... Give administration a chance to catch up with legislation."

-Calvin Coolidge