- reactionary
- adjective Date: 1840 relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction; especially ultraconservative in politics • reactionary noun • reactionaryism noun
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
reactionary
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Reactionary — (also reactionist) is a derogatory term usually used by the left wing in regards to movements which oppose radical change in society and seeks a return to a previous state. The term originated in the French Revolution, denoting the counter… … Wikipedia
reactionary — index hostile, illiberal, malcontent, renitent Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
Reactionary — Re*ac tion*a*ry ( [asl]*r[y^]), a. Being, causing, or favoring reaction; as, reactionary movements. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
reactionary — (adj.) 1831, on model of Fr. réactionnaire (19c.), from réaction (see REACTION (Cf. reaction)). In Marxist use, opposed to revolutionary and used opprobriously in reference to opponents of communism (1858). As a noun person considered reactionary … Etymology dictionary
reactionary — [adj] conservative counterrevolutionary, die hard*, obscurantist, old line*, orthodox, regressive, retrogressive, right, rightist*, rigid, standpat*, tory*, traditional, traditionalistic; concepts 529,542 Ant. liberal, progressive, radical… … New thesaurus
reactionary — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ opposing political or social progress or reform. ► NOUN (pl. reactionaries) ▪ a person holding reactionary views … English terms dictionary
reactionary — [rē ak′shə ner΄ē] adj. of, characterized by, or advocating reaction, esp. in politics n. pl. reactionaries a reactionary person; advocate of reaction, esp. in politics: Also Now Rare reactionist … English World dictionary
Reactionary — Re*ac tion*a*ry, n.; pl. {Reactionaries} ( r[i^]z). One who favors reaction, or seeks to undo political progress or revolution. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
reactionary — [[t]riæ̱kʃənri, AM neri[/t]] reactionaries ADJ GRADED (disapproval) A reactionary person or group tries to prevent changes in the political or social system of their country. It grew ever more clear to everyone that the Minister was too… … English dictionary
reactionary — UK [rɪˈækʃ(ə)n(ə)rɪ] / US [rɪˈækʃənˌerɪ] adjective strongly opposed to any social or political change reactionary views on the role of women Derived word: reactionary UK / US noun countable Word forms reactionary : singular reactionary plural… … English dictionary
reactionary — A dictionary definition of reactionary is one who favors or inclines to reaction, an explanation that clarifies not at all. Reactionary is such an emotionally toned word that it is used to mean what the speaker or writer wishes it to mean and has … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
