RIGHTIST Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

rightist 1 of 2

noun

as in conservative

a person whose political beliefs are centered on tradition and keeping things the way they are rightists opposed the new social programs

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rightist

2 of 2

adjective

as in reactionary

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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.

Recent Examples of rightist

Noun

In fact, he’s decided to go all the way from an angry leftist to a very angry rightist. — NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 That is, rightists who oppose aid to Ukraine tend to be skeptical of Israel and at least open to having anti-Semites in the Republican coalition. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced the rightist Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his 2023 election loss. — semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025 Historians have pointed to Hodge’s early support of reactionary rightists, including industrialists, landlords, and businessmen—people who were associated with Japanese rule. — Kornel Chang september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025 While America First drew supporters from across the political spectrum, it was most associated with rightists. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2022

Adjective

Israel launched the war in response to an October 2023 invasion by Hamas which blindsided Netanyahu’s religious-rightist government. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 As rightist parties surge across the UK, Labour members are betting on Burnham — who easily won a parliamentary seat last week — to salvage their moribund agenda. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist

Noun

Meloni's supporters see her evolution as proof that nationalist conservatives can govern responsibly while remaining committed to democratic institutions and Western alliances.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Cruz appeared on Fox News and later shared the clip on X, arguing that moderates have long told conservatives to support the Republican nominee after losing a primary.

— Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

The Court has been persistently reactionary in its dealings with other branches, using horizontal review to protect enslavers from abolitionists, bosses from unions, and tycoons from tax collectors.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Palladium is a quarterly publication whose founders were active in online neo-reactionary circles.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of reactionary

Adjective

Wednesday’s State Department announcement also traced the collective to leftist groups across Europe that posted materials about their attacks on rail and energy infrastructure.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
The leftist balladeer was furious that media accounts named the four white victims but none of the Mexicans, reducing them to their status as mere deportees.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of leftist

Adjective

Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

My research on white nationalism shows how contemporary extremist movements rely less on formal membership and more on decentralized digital spaces.

— Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Jewish activists of all backgrounds have been injured, including a pair last spring beaten unconscious by extremist settlers.

— Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremist

Adjective

Petrov pointed to the Yabloko party, the longtime voice of the liberal opposition that campaigns for an end to the war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
In those rulings, Roberts joined with the court’s three liberal justices and at least one other conservative justice.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberal

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“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rightist

noun

adjective

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