one who supports Reaction in opposition to the general progressive Western zeitgeist, often accompanied by a sense that the expansion of democratic politcs has made life in general much worse either in absolute terms, or measured by what should have been achievable with modern science, reason, and technology; usually believes race is a real genetic construct and therefore not surprised at disparate average outcomes across large population groups; often believes human evolution has in part or in toto shaped human nature, which therefore cannot easily, or at all, be changed very much by social engineering and/or conditioning; usually believes heirarchy is imprinted upon mankind by nature and/or God, and that heirarchy is not only not necessarily evil, but desirable and even inevitable and ought not be torn down for any but the most grave reasons; tends to support tradition either as revealed by his religion and/or as successful adaptive memetic developments which usually solve deep and complex problems in human societies; anti-revolutionary; anti-socialist; anti-communist; anti-whig; anti-democratic; anti-globalist; skeptical; (once a term of derision, most reactionaries of late do happily so self-identify)
Tom suddenly realized he couldn't find a single Republican at the convention who didn't hail FDR anything less than a great hero. He remembered knowing conservatives in his youth who opposed both FDR and WWII. But where were they now? They had disappeared, but their thoughts and words had not. Tom hadn't changed his mind about much in the past 25 years, but he suddenly realized he was a Reactionary.
by nicky_steves April 16, 2013
"Where the opposition that has not hurled back the branding reproach of Communism, against the more advanced opposition parties, as well as against its reactionary adversaries?"
by UltraUber April 3, 2022
Joe was attending the MAGA rally when a man with a sign walked by. Joe yelled at him, "Fucking libtard commie asshole!"
The man with the sign turned just as Joe's fist connected with his face. The man dropped his "Make America Great Again" sign face up. Joe saw it and said, "Oh damn, I thought you were one of those hippy protesters."
The man was twice the size of Joe, and now he was pissed. Much like Joe, he was also a reactionary. Joe got his ass kicked.
The man with the sign turned just as Joe's fist connected with his face. The man dropped his "Make America Great Again" sign face up. Joe saw it and said, "Oh damn, I thought you were one of those hippy protesters."
The man was twice the size of Joe, and now he was pissed. Much like Joe, he was also a reactionary. Joe got his ass kicked.
by Nutzen YerMouf March 9, 2018
Someone who formed his opinion based on a recent event while disregarding the past knowledge or information.
by Madmada December 21, 2019
Having old political and social views. Being ultraconservative. Reactionaries like to reminisce about the good old days when slavery, sexism, racism and cruel/unusal punishment were prominent.
by jpj June 11, 2004
extreme conservatism, especially in politics. wanting to restore to past conditions that can no longer compete with modern changes.
Former radical hippies turning into post reactionary hippies
Former radical hippies turning into post reactionary hippies
The "reactionary" elders of this country held on to the belief that someday after the reign of republican presidents the figure of chieftain or king will be restored as the political head figure once again.
by anderl1n June 17, 2009
Reactionary or Reactionaries are normally on the right political spectrum normally in the form of Pro-Monarchist, Less moderate conservatives and or anti-socialist and anti-communist. Though the left has their own reactionaries in the form of anarchist or less moderate socialist or democratic socialist. Though this is not always the case and most of the time they are just radical forms of an already existing ideology. Radical is being used as more instant unlike moderates who like change over time and radicals do not always equals bad or negative ideologies. They’re also reactionary centrist called Radical Centerist or Radical Liberals which they are called in the media.
The revaluation in France had many people hating the royalty, though reactionary conservatives support the king seeing how savage some revolutionaries are.
by Börkman January 7, 2019