preservationist

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion·​ist ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce preservationist (audio)
Synonyms of preservationistnext
: one who advocates preservation (as of a biological species or a historical landmark)

Examples of preservationist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For many, like the preservationists pushing to save Santa Monica’s Mel’s Drive-In, the mere thought of demolishing the iconic restaurant is offensive. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 To bring back the house, McCollum relied on tips from a fellow preservationist, James Biddle, a former Americana curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art who had become president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026 Like many of Savannah's riverfront hotels, the Alida lives in a converted warehouse and is named for Alida Harper Fowlkes, a beloved architectural preservationist. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 Some preservationists were displeased with the demolition, especially because Charlotte hasn’t necessarily been kind to its historic buildings. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preservationist

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preservationist was in 1927

Rhymes for preservationist

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Browse Nearby Words

preservation
preservationist
preservation order
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Cite this Entry

“Preservationist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservationist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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