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conservatism

noun

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con·ser·va·tism | \ kən-ˈsər-və-ˌti-zəm

Definition of conservatism

1 capitalized

a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party

b : the Conservative party

2a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established

b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (such as retirement income or health-care coverage)

3 : the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change religious conservatism cultural conservatism

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About conservatism

Examples of conservatism in a Sentence

the state's well-known conservatism means that progressive legislation always has an uphill battle

Recent Examples on the Web That’s a reasonable conservatism that slows efforts at making greener cement, Davis said. — Seth Borenstein, Anchorage Daily News, 23 June 2022 But prosperity came during his presidency only because Mr. Clinton capitulated to Ronald Reagan’s common-sense conservatism. — WSJ, 22 June 2022 But in recent years, some politicians, civic leaders and real estate agents have boasted about northern Idaho’s conservatism to draw like-minded people. — Rebecca Boone, BostonGlobe.com, 13 June 2022 Deep down, there’s something about sport that reveals people’s natural conservatism. — Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 28 May 2022 Performative anti-political correctness sits uneasily alongside hopes of a new multiracial working-class conservatism. — W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 18 May 2022 Those changes, and the capitulation of the Republican Party to Trump, have defined conservatism ever since. — The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 Ho and Ta are both Republicans who are stressing fiscal conservatism in their bids for the Assembly. — Anh Dostaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2022 Le Pen's right-wing National Rally shares some issue space with the left, like granting French citizens the right to make new laws via referendum, but her group's rigid anti-immigration stance and social conservatism have limited its broader appeal. — David Faris, The Week, 10 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conservatism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.