— reactionism, reactionaryism, reactionarism /ree ak"sheuh neuh riz'euhm/ , n.
/ree ak"sheuh ner'ee/ , adj., n., pl. reactionaries .
adj.
1. of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, esp. extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.
n.
2. a reactionary person.
Also, reactionist .
[ 1830-40; REACTION + -ARY; cf. F réactionnaire ]
Syn. 1, 2. ultraconservative.
Ant. 1, 2. radical.