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Reactionary

//ɹiˈækʃən(ə)ɹi// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective

1
Extremely conservative; opposing revolution (such as the French Revolution); favoring a return to a "golden age" of the past.
"There's a fairly simple reason for the embrace of radicalism on the right, and it has to do with the reactionary imperative that lies at the core of conservative doctrine. […] If he is to preserve what he values, the conservative must declare war against the culture as it is."
2
Of, pertaining to, participating in, or inducing a chemical reaction.
"Psychiatry extends the theory into biology in the belief that all human behavior is nothing more than a series of reactionary chemical processes in the brain that determine pre-coded genetic responses built up from the conditioning of one’s environment."
3
In reaction to; as a result of.
"The regulator noted that reduced service levels and passenger numbers helped deliver strong performance, with fewer reactionary delays."

Adjective

1
opposed to political or social liberalism or reform wordnet

Noun

1
One who opposes revolution, wanting to reverse it, favoring a return to a past golden age. Often used as a derogatory by revolutionaires.
"Hindu reactionaries, whose conception of a well-ordered society had not moved beyond the laws of Manu, fell into line for the moment with the intellectual products of the modern Indian University."
2
an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French réactionnaire, equivalent to reaction + -ary. Used in the time of the French revolution to refer to a person opposing the revolution; as in favoring a reaction against the revolution.

Etymology 2

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