conservatism
noun
con·ser·va·tism
kən-ˈsər-və-ˌti-zəm 
plural conservatisms
1
a
: inclination to preserve what is established : belief in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society
Classical education involves a certain kind of conservatism.—
Adam M. Carrington
Adam M. CarringtonThe twentieth century politics of New Jersey has continued to be dominated … by the natural conservatism of the industrial and business interests.—American Guide Series: New Jersey
compare liberalism sense 1
American Guide Series: New Jersey
b
: a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing the importance of established hierarchies and institutions (such as religion, the family, and class structure), and preferring gradual development to abrupt change
Despite much change in the surrounding social environment, however, the essential values of conservatism remained much as they have always been: church, family, personal responsibility, order, country.—A. James Reichley
A. James Reichley
specifically
: such a philosophy calling for reduced taxation, for limited government regulation of business, industry and finance, for restriction of immigration, for a strong national defense, and for individual financial responsibility for personal needs (such as retirement income and health care coverage) and often including the aims of social conservatism
… believes there is a strong desire in the [Republican] party for a candidate … who espouses Reagan-style conservatism, including traditional social values, hawkish foreign policy and small government economics. —Jill Colvin and Thomas Beaumont
Jill Colvin and Thomas Beaumont This reasoning is congruent with conservatism's argument that excessively benevolent government is not a benefactor, and that capitalism does not merely make people better off, it makes them better. —George Will
George Will
c
Conservatism
: the principles and policies of a Conservative party (see conservative entry 1 sense 1b)
tenets of British Conservatism
also
: a Conservative party or its members
the recent electoral success of Conservatism
2
: the tendency to prefer an existing system or situation and to be cautious about or suspicious of change : strong resistance to innovation
religious conservatism
… a sophisticated understanding of science's necessary conservatism …—Henry H. Bauer
Henry H. BauerThe young Maud's willful, imaginative personality frequently clashed with her grandparents' strict conservatism.—V. M. Braganza
V. M. BraganzaThe charge is that soccer's inherent conservatism, its aversion to new thinking, conditioned it to resist the benefits of analytics.—Rory Smith
Rory SmithIronically, foreign art dealers and museums helped to maintain convention and conservatism among Russian painters by requiring their productions to be "as Russian as possible."—John Bayley
John Bayley3
Conservatism
: Conservative Judaism
Today there is hardly a spot on the Jewish scene which is without new commitment. Jews are opting in. … Sometimes they enter Conservatism or Reform but often they don't stay there.—Raymond Apple
Raymond AppleSynonyms
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
Locke’s raucous conservatism, however, is not the only reason for his ubiquity on social media; like many Pentecostals before him, Locke has an instinct for celebrity culture, mass media, and business.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
Before serving as governor, Walker got his start in politics in 1993, when he was elected to the state assembly with a platform that focused on fiscal conservatism.
—Rachel Hale, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2024
But for some, the label has a connotation of political conservatism and emphasizes a connection to Spain.
—Fernanda Figueroa, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024
But continuous election denialism and disinterest in John McCain-style conservatism has some Arizonan Republicans questioning their support.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conservatism 
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
Before serving as governor, Walker got his start in politics in 1993, when he was elected to the state assembly with a platform that focused on fiscal conservatism.
—Rachel Hale, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2024
But for some, the label has a connotation of political conservatism and emphasizes a connection to Spain.
—Fernanda Figueroa, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024
But continuous election denialism and disinterest in John McCain-style conservatism has some Arizonan Republicans questioning their support.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conservatism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conservatism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near conservatism
Cite this Entry
“Conservatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservatism. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
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conservatism
noun
con·ser·va·tism
kən-ˈsər-və-ˌtiz-əm
1
: a political belief supporting established institutions and customs and preferring gradual development to sudden change
2
: a desire to preserve an existing situation or existing ways
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