conservative

USAGE SUMMARY

"conservative" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's political or social views, or to refer to a type of behavior or decision that is deemed to be traditional or safe. For example: "The conservative mindset of the older generation means they are less likely to take risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

"But the electoral reality is that we will not win outright Conservative majorities until we start attracting more of the ethnic vote".

The Guardian

If the court were to rule the law unconstitutional when it issues its decision in June, it could prove a significant blow to Obama's re-election campaign by striking down his most important piece of legislation and bolstering conservative opposition.

The Guardian

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

Tory supporters of equal marriage are making an eleventh hour plea to fellow Conservative MPs to vote in favour of reform by invoking the record of Margaret Thatcher, who supported the legalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s.

The Guardian

There has been an outpouring of support for the gay community but there remains a huge conservative community too, which is a majority and is unwilling to accept gays," Kalbag said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Christie, viewed by many as the most moderate would-be candidate in attendance, reeled off impressive statistics from his re-election victory in New Jersey last year as he received a predictably lukewarm response from the conservative-leaning audience.

The Guardian

Now, after the collapse of communism, the Christian-conservative government paints as its main enemy the multicultural consumerist liberal democracy for which today's western Europe stands.

The Guardian

The Ukip leader later hit out at those with a worrying "anti-rich attitude" after one audience member held up a picture of a mansion belonging to Ukip donor and former treasurer Stuart Wheeler, who is an Eton and Oxford-educated ex-Conservative millionaire.

The Guardian

We announced 106 target seats in 2013, the crucial majority of which were Conservative-held constituencies in England and Wales.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conservative" in a political context, be specific about the aspect of conservatism you're referring to (e.g., fiscal, social, or political).

Common error

Don't assume that all individuals or groups labeled as "conservative" share identical views. Recognize the diversity within conservative ideologies.

Linguistic Context

The word "conservative" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a tendency to preserve existing conditions, institutions, or to avoid change. It also functions as a noun, referring to a person who adheres to conservative principles. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "conservative" is a versatile term functioning as both an adjective and a noun, primarily used to denote a preference for tradition, caution, and stability. As highlighted by Ludwig, it sees frequent use in news, formal business contexts and Science domains. While grammatically sound, it's essential to recognize that the term carries diverse connotations depending on the context, spanning from political ideologies to financial strategies. Ludwig AI also indicates that the term is widely accepted and understood, making it a valuable part of the English lexicon. When using "conservative", it is advisable to clarify the specific aspect being referenced to avoid broad generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traditional

Emphasizes adherence to long-standing customs and practices; less directly political than "conservative".

conventional

Highlights conformity to accepted standards or norms, often in social or cultural contexts.

cautious

Focuses on a careful and risk-averse approach, applicable in various decision-making scenarios.

moderate

Suggests a position between extremes, often used in political discourse to indicate a balanced approach.

establishment-oriented

Implies support for the existing power structures and institutions.

right-leaning

Specifically indicates a political alignment towards the right end of the spectrum.

status quo-supporting

Directly conveys the idea of maintaining the current state of affairs.

old-fashioned

Refers to practices or beliefs that are no longer widely accepted or current.

preservationist

Highlights the act of maintaining or protecting something from decay or loss, often related to culture or environment.

unadventurous

Conveys a lack of willingness to take risks or try new things.

FAQs

How is the word "conservative" typically used in a sentence?

The word "conservative" can be used as an adjective to describe someone's political views or a cautious approach, or as a noun to refer to a person who holds conservative beliefs. For example, "He is a "political conservative"" or "The company took a "conservative approach" to investing".

What are some synonyms for "conservative"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "conservative" include "traditional", "cautious", "moderate", or "conventional".

Is it correct to use "conservative" to describe a financial strategy?

Yes, "conservative" is often used to describe a financial strategy that prioritizes minimizing risk and preserving capital, as opposed to seeking high-growth investments. A "conservative investment strategy" typically involves lower-risk assets.

What is the difference between a "conservative" and a "reactionary"?

While both terms relate to tradition, "conservative" generally implies a desire to maintain existing institutions and values, while "reactionary" suggests a desire to return to a past state of affairs, often involving significant societal changes. The latter is often considered more extreme.