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Definitions

conservative

[kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv] / kənˈsɜr və tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
cautious, moderate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
traditional
STRONG
cautious constant conventional firm moderate old-fashioned stable steady timid unadventurous
WEAK
bourgeois controlled fearful fogyish fuddy-duddy guarded hidebound holding to illiberal inflexible not extreme orthodox sober traditionalistic unchangeable unchanging uncreative undaring unimaginative unprogressive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
incautious
STRONG
changeable inconstant unfixed unstable unsteady untrustworthy wavering
WEAK
exaggerated
ADJECTIVE
tending to preserve the status quo
Synonyms
STRONGEST
right of center right-wing
WEAK
Tory middle-of-the-road old guard old-line reactionary
Antonyms
WEAK
left-wing liberal progressive radical
NOUN
an opponent of change
Synonyms
STRONGEST
right-winger traditionalist
STRONG
classicist preserver reactionary rightist stick-in-the-mud
WEAK
Tory bitter-ender conserver conventionalist hard hat middle-of-the-roader old guard old liner standpat
Antonyms
WEAK
left-winger liberal progressive radical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The neighborhood has long been a haven for Westerners, offering mixed-gender running clubs, access to alcohol in what had long been a dry society and a sense that the kingdom’s most conservative rules don’t apply.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Meanwhile, Alberta and Saskatchewan, two conservative provinces in western Canada, have refused to participate in the programme.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Deavers notes that these estimates are likely conservative.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Former conservative commentator Steve Hilton said his family had a small farm in Hungary, which they fled because of communism.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

And those shared assumptions are usually pretty conservative: we don’t reinvent the world from scratch every time we float a theory.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.