reactionary
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reactionary
Describes a political attitude that opposes social progress and wants to restore earlier conditions perceived as better. The attitude is strongly conservative and backward-looking.
Seine reaktionären Ansichten machten ihn bei den jungen Wählern unbeliebt.
His reactionary views made him unpopular with young voters.
The adjective 'reaktionär' (reactionary) is derived from the noun 'die Reaktion' (the reaction). It describes a political attitude that represents a 'Reaktion' (reaction) against progress and wants to restore old conditions.
Er vertritt eine reaktionäre Ideologie.
He supports a reactionary ideology.
The word 'reaktionär' (reactionary) is almost always meant negatively and disparagingly. It is often used in political debates as criticism of a person or an idea.
Die Opposition bezeichnete den Gesetzesvorschlag als reaktionär.
The opposition described the proposed law as reactionary.
'Reaktionär' (reactionary) often describes abstract political terms. Typical combinations are 'reaktionäre Ansichten' (reactionary views), 'reaktionäre Kräfte' (reactionary forces), or 'eine reaktionäre Politik' (a reactionary policy).
Die Partei ist für ihre reaktionären Positionen bekannt.
The party is known for its reactionary positions.
conservative
'konservativ' and 'reaktionär' both describe political or social attitudes that are critical of change. 'konservativ' usually means that someone wants to preserve traditions and existing structures. This can be meant neutrally or objectively. 'reaktionär' is stronger and usually negative: it means that someone is against progress and wants earlier conditions back. Learners may confuse the words because both stand against rapid change. However, 'reaktionär' only fits when the attitude is clearly backward-looking and very strongly opposed.
Die Forderung, Frauen wieder vom Studium auszuschließen, ist klar reaktionär.
The demand to exclude women from university again is clearly reactionary.
Mein Onkel ist politisch eher konservativ und möchte viele Traditionen behalten.
My uncle is rather conservative politically and wants to keep many traditions.