adj · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ɹiˈækʃən(ə)ɹi/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ɹiˈæk.ʃəˌnɛɚ.i/
General-American:/ɹiˈæk.t͡ʃəˌnɛɚ.i/
General-American:/ɹiˈæk.ʃɪˌnɛɚ.i/
General-American:/ɹiˈæk.t͡ʃɪˌnɛɚ.i/
CMU ARPABET:R IY0 AE1 K SH AH0 N EH2 R IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Extremely conservative; opposing revolution (such as the French Revolution); favoring a return to a "golden age" of the past.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: antiprogressive, regressive
Antonyms: progressive, nonreactionary
2
adj
Meaning 2
Of, pertaining to, participating in, or inducing a chemical reaction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
In reaction to; as a result of.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
One who opposes revolution, wanting to reverse it, favoring a return to a past golden age, often used derogatorily by revolutionaires.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective satellite
Meaning 5
extremely conservative
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: reactionist, far-right
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ultraconservative, extreme right-winger
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: conservative, conservativist
Narrower terms: Bourbon, Colonel Blimp, Blimp
History
Etymology
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.
Across languages
Translations
68 source translations are retained for this English entry.
