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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.

Peter Magyar, the opposition leader whose Tisza party won more than two-thirds of the seats in parliament, is in many ways conservative.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

See more: Amazon’s CEO doubles down on AI spending: ‘We are not going to be conservative’

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

In an exclusive interview Fujimori said she would seek a united front with conservative leaders in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

African clergy are generally more conservative than Western bishops, rejecting calls in parts of Europe to rethink Catholic teaching on same-sex relationships or the role of women in the church.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

He was a banker, tall, straight-backed, conservative in demeanor and dress, but he rose suddenly and walked to a window, trembling with emotion.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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