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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rightist

2 of 2

adjective

as in reactionary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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

Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had avoided debating challenger Flávio Bolsonaro — the son of a former president jailed for staging a coup — but the rightist’s first-round victory put the president on the back foot. — semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 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 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

Polls showed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and rightist challenger Flávio Bolsonaro were in effect tied ahead of Sunday’s runoff, with the result potentially coming down to which candidate’s supporters stay away from the ballot box. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightist

Noun

There was a time when conservatives were opposed to increasing the debt.

— Kevin Igoe, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
President Emmanuel Macron has been the primary target of scorn following nationwide riots that overtook Paris and other cities, but the insurgent National Rally does not want to let mainstream conservatives off the hook.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

Surprisingly, for a painting often dismissed as conservative and reactionary, some of the first adopters of its form were Black urban artists who saw the painting in Chicago in the 1930s.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
His method is often to approach cultural or political phenomena, progressive or reactionary, with a mix of Gen X irony and sincere moralism which, by degrees, subtly shifts the frame of the discourse to the right.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of reactionary

Adjective

Less than four hours after polls closed, the country knew its presidential election was headed to a runoff between conservative challenger Flavio Bolsonaro and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

— Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Even leftist lawmakers support to some of those ideas in the wake of a corruption scandal that ensnared the court.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of leftist

Adjective

According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Smotrich urges removing Palestinian Authority control Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for extremist views, said the attack shows Israel needs to restrict the Palestinians’ freedom of movement in the West Bank.

— Shlomo Mor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Paporakis had hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and a manifesto expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of extremist

Adjective

Zygielbaum says the highly competitive Congressional District 8 spans both counties with Adams leaning liberal and Weld conservative.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
During Wednesday’s debate, Marshall repeatedly said a Hamilton victory would put Democrats in charge of the Senate and that Hamilton would vote with liberal Democrats.

— John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of liberal

Browse Nearby Words

righting

rightist

rightists

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rightist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightist. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rightist

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes