conservative 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈsər-və-tiv How to pronounce conservative (audio)
Definition of conservativenext
1
as in traditional
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions conservative baseball fans consider the new ballpark too modern-looking and plain ugly

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2
as in muted
not excessively showy dressing in conservative outfits so as to make a good impression at job interviews

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3
as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble made conservative investments, and so he wasn't ruined when the market went into a free fall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

conservative

2 of 2

noun

as in Tory
a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are proposed legislation that was opposed by conservatives throughout the state

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conservative
Adjective
Right-wing leaders have recently won elections in Peru, Chile and Ecuador, reflecting a conservative shift in parts of South America. — Manuel Rueda, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 Mayor Julie Smith, of Tifton, and Mayor Scott James Matheson, of Valdosta, are in nonpartisan positions, but are both openly conservative and registered Republicans. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
What the difference in brain structure between liberals and conservatives? — Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026 Liberal advocacy groups urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to end his attacks on ABC, and conservative groups warned Carr not to set a precedent that would harm conservatives in future administrations. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conservative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conservative
  1. traditional
  2. muted
  3. cautious
  4. traditionalist
  5. orthodox
  6. quiet
  7. careful
  8. rightist
Adjective
  • Aid agencies say mistrust, misinformation about Ebola, and resistance to restrictions on traditional burial practices have fueled hostility toward health workers and complicated efforts to contain the outbreak.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, said the legislation targets large companies that use extensive consumer data to maximize profits rather than small businesses offering traditional discounts or coupons.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Think clean lines, muted colors, original artwork, and skylights in some rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Fans, however, have wondered why marketing for the game has felt pretty muted outside of two trailers just over four months before launch.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • As the use of AI increases, financial experts say consumers should be cautious about fully trusting these tools.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Fed may be more cautious about raising interest rates at a time when the labor market appears less stable.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cautious
Noun
  • El-Sayed is promising wholesale change to politics, a progressive upheaval of traditionalist incrementalism, an outsiders’ indifference to tradition.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Aug. 2026
  • For traditionalists, there’s plenty to choose from, but the specials are surely worth the detour.
    — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of traditionalist
Adjective
  • More to Explore Mindful of the cultural importance of orthodox Islam, Singaporean practitioners respond to religious authorities’ objections in various ways.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Nobody had the chance to play as an orthodox right-winger until Ruben Amorim’s exit in January.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of orthodox
Adjective
  • Venus enters Libra and your 12th House of Solitude, bringing healing, privacy, and quiet restoration.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Path two runs through Congress, where Senators Schiff and Curtis have a bill declaring the quiet part, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, and the AGA is lobbying for exactly that.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • South Korea’s finance minister has apologized for launching the riskier products without careful consideration.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regulators have been careful to note that the action targets concentrated and synthetic products, not natural leaf containing trace amounts.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of careful
Noun
  • That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced the rightist Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his 2023 election loss.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Definition of rightist

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conservative
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Cite this Entry

“Conservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conservative. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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