reactionist

1 9.9

Opposed to social or political change and wanting to return to older ways

adjective
/riˈækʃənɪst/

: reaccionario

Many viewed the policy as reactionist, aiming to reverse years of social reform.

Examples

The reactionist policies of the government have sparked protests.
Her reactionist stance often put her at odds with more progressive members of the council.
The senator was labeled a reactionist for his opposition to all new civil rights legislation.
Many describe his views as reactionist and out of touch with modern society.
Her reactionist stance often put her at odds with more progressive members of the council.
Many viewed the policy as reactionist, aiming to reverse years of social reform.
The senator was labeled a reactionist for his opposition to all new civil rights legislation.

Synonyms

conservative

vsreactionist

778 4.4

A person who does not want big changes and likes traditional values

is more active in seeking return to a previous state or order

far-right

vsreactionist

Literature

63 6.8

Having very strong right-wing political views that oppose social change

shares opposition to liberalism but may be less ideologically extreme

reactionary

vsreactionist

28 8.4

Against social or political change and wanting society to go back to how it was

is the same idea expressed in slightly different wording

traditionalist

vsreactionist

5 6.5

Holding strongly to old customs and resisting change

is politically focused on reversing reform and restoring earlier conditions

rightist

vsreactionist

4 7.3

Having conservative political ideas

is specifically against liberalism and seeks a return to past orders

counterrevolutionary

vsreactionist

1 9.1

A person who tries to undo a large change in government

is similar but applies to opposing reform generally, not only revolutions

archconservative

vsreactionist

1 8.4

Very traditional in politics and strongly against change

expresses opposition too but may not be as intensely fixed on return

ultraconservative

vsreactionist

1 8.5

A person who strongly supports traditional beliefs and opposes social change

also resists progress but focuses more on returning to past order

restorationist

vsreactionist

1 8.1

A person who wants a former leader or king returned to power

is broader, favoring return to earlier social or political order

neo-reactionary

vsreactionist

Literature

1 9.9

A political movement that wants older social and government rules instead of modern liberal ideas

is the general old term opposing reform rather than a modern movement

antirevolutionary

vsreactionist

1 7.4

Opposed to big, sudden political change

covers opposition too but includes desire to return to former conditions

antiliberal

vsreactionist

1 8.0

A person who opposes political ideas that support personal freedom and equal rights

adds a desire to reinstate earlier social or political arrangements

antireform

vsreactionist

7.2

A person who opposes changes in politics or society

is broader, seeking not just to block reforms but to reinstate past states

counterrevolutionist

vsreactionist

9.9

A person who tries to undo a revolution and bring back the old government

embraces opposition to reform more widely beyond just revolutionary contexts

counter-revolutionist

vsreactionist

9.2

A person who tries to bring back the old government after a revolution

is broader, opposing reform and seeking earlier social or political order

status quo warrior

vsreactionist

8.1

A person who strongly supports how things are and resists change

focuses more on returning to an earlier state rather than defending now

conservativist

vsreactionist

8.5

A person who does not like change and new ideas

leans further toward actively wanting a return rather than mere reluctance

Antonyms

liberal

546 3.9

A person who supports social change and people's rights

progressive

111 5.1

A person who supports social and political change to make society fairer

How Reactionary

reactionist

1 9.9

conservative

778 4.4

moderate

114 4.6

progressive

278 4.8

Surface Forms

reactionist positive

Morphology

reactionist = reaction (transparent) = react + ion + ist

Formed from the noun 'reaction' with the productive suffix '-ist' to denote a person/quality favoring reactionary positions, so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Reactionist comes from reaction, which has re- meaning 'back' and act meaning 'do', as in action or react. So a reactionist is someone who 'acts to go back' and opposes new changes, preferring older ways.