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¹conservative

adjective con·ser·va·tive \kən-ˈsər-və-tiv\

: believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society : relating to or supporting political conservatism

Conservative : of or relating to the conservative party in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada

: not liking or accepting changes or new ideas

Full Definition of CONSERVATIVE

: preservative

a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism

b capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions (2) : progressive conservative

a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional

b : marked by moderation or caution <a conservative estimate>

c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners

: of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism

— con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb

— con·ser·va·tive·ness noun

See conservative defined for English-language learners

See conservative defined for kids

First Known Use of CONSERVATIVE

14th century

Related to CONSERVATIVE

Synonyms: archconservative, brassbound, button-down (or buttoned-down), die-hard, hidebound, mossbacked, old-fashioned, old-line, old-school, orthodox, paleoconservative, reactionary, standpat, traditional, traditionalistic, ultraconservative, unprogressive

Antonyms: broad-minded, large-minded, liberal, nonconservative, nonconventional, nonorthodox, nontraditional, open-minded, progressive, unconventional, unorthodox

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CONSERVATIVE

preservative

²conservative

noun

: a person who believes in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society : a person who is politically conservative

Conservative : a member or supporter of a conservative political party in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada

Full Definition of CONSERVATIVE

a : an adherent or advocate of political conservatism

b capitalized : a member or supporter of a conservative political party

a : one who adheres to traditional methods or views

b : a cautious or discreet person

See conservative defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of CONSERVATIVE

1831

Related to CONSERVATIVE

Synonyms: archconservative, paleoconservative, reactionary, rightist, right-winger, Tory, traditionalist

Antonyms: leftist, left-winger, lefty, liberal, progressive

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CONSERVATIVE

preservative

CONSERVATIVENESS Defined for Kids

¹conservative

adjective con·ser·va·tive \kən-ˈsər-və-tiv\

Definition of CONSERVATIVE for Kids

: favoring a policy of keeping things as they are : opposed to change

: favoring established styles and standards <He wears conservative ties.>

: likely to be lower than what the real amount or number is <a conservative estimate>

— con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb

²conservative

noun

Definition of CONSERVATIVE for Kids

: a person who is opposed to change : a cautious person

Medical Dictionary

conservative

adjective con·ser·va·tive \kən-ˈsər-vət-iv\

Medical Definition of CONSERVATIVE

: not extreme or drastic; especially : designed to preserve parts or restore or preserve function <conservative treatment of prostate cancer by watchful waiting or hormonal therapy in contrast to radical prostatectomy>—compare aggressive 3, radical

—con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb