The difference between Conservative and Reactionary
When used as nouns, conservative means one who opposes changes to the traditional institutions of their country, whereas reactionary means one who is opposed to change.
When used as adjectives, conservative means cautious, whereas reactionary means politically favoring a return to a supposed golden age of the past.
check bellow for the other definitions of Conservative and Reactionary
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Conservative as a noun (politics):
A person who favors maintenance of the status quo. One who opposes changes to the traditional institutions of their country. A political conservative. A fiscal conservative. A social conservative.
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Conservative as an adjective:
Cautious.
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Conservative as an adjective:
Tending to resist change or innovation.
Examples:
"The curriculum committee at this university is extremely conservative."
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Conservative as an adjective:
Based on pessimistic assumptions.
Examples:
"At a conservative estimate, growth may even be negative next year."
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Conservative as an adjective (US, economics, politics, social sciences):
Supporting some combination of fiscal, political or social conservatism.
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Conservative as an adjective (British, politics):
Relating to the Conservative Party.
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Conservative as an adjective (physics, not comparable):
Neither creating nor destroying a given quantity.
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Conservative as an adjective:
Having power to preserve in a safe or entire state, or from loss, waste, or injury; preservative.
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Conservative as an adjective (Judaism):
Relating to Conservative Judaism.
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Conservative as an adjective (clothing):
Conventional, traditional, and moderate in style and appearance; not extreme, excessive, faddish, or intense.
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Conservative as an adjective (medicine):
Not including any operation or intervention (said of a treatment, see conservative treatment)
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Reactionary as an adjective:
Politically favoring a return to a supposed golden age of the past.
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Reactionary as an adjective (chemistry):
Of, pertaining to, participating in or inducing a chemical reaction.
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Reactionary as a noun:
One who is opposed to change.
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Reactionary as a noun:
One who is very conservative.