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Definition of conservatism

conservatism

/kənˈsɝː.vəˌtɪz.əm/
con · ser · va · tism
Adverb:conservatively
•
Plural:conservatisms
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Adjective:conservative
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conservatism Lexical Profile

conservatism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A political and social philosophy that promotes the preservation of traditional institutions, customs, and values, often favoring gradual evolution over abrupt change and supporting free-market enterprise.

Example

"His political essays explore the historical roots of modern conservatism in Western democracies."

2

A general tendency to resist rapid change, innovation, or risk in favor of established practices, moderation, and caution.

Example

"The financial board's fiscal conservatism helped the company weather the economic downturn without laying off staff."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for conservatism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for conservatism

• Rhymes for conservatism

• Nearby Words

conservation
conservational
conservationist
conservatism
conservative
conservatively
conservativeness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century (originally in French as 'conservatisme' by François-René de Chateaubriand in 1818) from the adjective 'conservative', which derives from the Late Latin 'conservativus' and Latin 'conservare' ('to keep, preserve').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Conservatism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/conservatism
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