reactionary

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism
  2. adjective extremely conservative

Etymology

Borrowed from French réactionnaire, equivalent to reaction + -ary. Used in the time of the French revolution to refer to a person opposing the revolution; as in favoring a reaction against the revolution.

In classic literature

Synonyms

ultraconservative, extreme right-winger

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