conservatism
gb/kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/ us/kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
abstract
1
right-leaning political philosophy
A political belief that society should keep many traditional values and institutions and avoid sudden major change.
Usage pattern:
conservatism; conservatism in [country]; a brand/strain/form of conservatism
Common mistake:
Do not assume conservatism means exactly the same policies everywhere; U.S., British, and other forms differ.
Synonyms
right-wing politics (Broader and less formal; can include many ideologies to the right.)
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traditionalism (Emphasizes attachment to tradition, not necessarily party politics.)
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Toryism (Mainly British and more specifically associated with Conservative politics.)
Antonyms
progressivism (Favors social or political reform and change.)
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liberalism (Often contrasts with conservatism in modern party politics, especially in the U.S.)
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radicalism (Seeks deep or fundamental change rather than preservation.)
Collocations
political conservatism
|American conservatism
|British conservatism
|modern conservatism
|traditional conservatism
|the rise of conservatism
|a brand of conservatism
|a strain of conservatism
|conservatism and liberalism
|conservative principles
Themes
politics
|society
|ideology
Examples
- Her research examines the growth of conservatism in American politics after the 1970s.
- The party tried to present a softer form of conservatism to younger voters.
- His conservatism combines support for free markets with a strong emphasis on national tradition.
Learner examples
- Conservatism is an important force in many elections.
- His parents support conservatism, but he is more progressive.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
preference for tradition
A habit of liking old or familiar ways and not wanting things to change quickly.
Usage pattern:
conservatism about [something]; conservatism in [institution/style/approach]
Common mistake:
This use is not necessarily about political parties; it can describe a person, organization, style, or attitude.
Synonyms
traditionalism (Stronger focus on valuing tradition itself.)
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caution (More general; does not always involve tradition.)
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resistance to change (Directly describes the behavior rather than the attitude.)
Antonyms
openness to change (Willingness to accept new ideas or methods.)
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radicalism (Desire for major change, often quickly.)
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innovation (Focus on creating or adopting new things.)
Collocations
natural conservatism
|instinctive conservatism
|institutional conservatism
|cultural conservatism
|social conservatism
|a streak of conservatism
|a degree of conservatism
|deep conservatism
|quiet conservatism
|resistance to change
Themes
society
|culture
|psychology
Examples
- There is a lot of institutional conservatism in the legal profession.
- The redesign failed partly because of customers' conservatism about familiar products.
- Her taste in clothes shows a quiet conservatism: simple cuts, dark colors, and no trends.
Learner examples
- His conservatism makes him nervous about new technology.
- The school changed slowly because of its conservatism.
Noun
C1
abstract
3
cautious low-risk approach
Careful decision-making that uses safer assumptions instead of optimistic ones.
Usage pattern:
conservatism in [estimate/model/valuation/forecast]; build conservatism into [something]
Common mistake:
In finance or estimates, conservatism means caution; it is not about environmental conservation.
Synonyms
prudence (Formal or businesslike; stresses careful judgment.)
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caution (More general and everyday.)
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risk aversion (Emphasizes avoiding risk, sometimes too strongly.)
Antonyms
optimism (Uses more positive assumptions about outcomes or values.)
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risk-taking (Accepts more uncertainty or possible loss.)
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aggressiveness (In business or accounting, suggests bolder or less cautious treatment.)
Collocations
financial conservatism
|accounting conservatism
|budgetary conservatism
|statistical conservatism
|valuation conservatism
|a conservative estimate
|a degree of conservatism
|excessive conservatism
|built-in conservatism
|conservatism in forecasts
Themes
business
|finance
|decision_making
|science
Examples
- The budget includes some conservatism in its revenue forecasts.
- Regulators welcomed the bank's conservatism in valuing risky assets.
- The model's conservatism reduced false positives but missed a few real cases.
Learner examples
- We used conservatism in the sales forecast.
- A little conservatism can protect the company from surprises.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conservatism
IPA
GB/kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
US/kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
con - ser - vat - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ser)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: conservatism
- Plural: conservatism
Expressions
accounting conservatism
1/əkˈaʊntɪŋ kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
cautious accounting rule
A cautious accounting rule that records bad news earlier than good news.
Examples
- Accounting conservatism requires the company to recognize the likely loss before the lawsuit is settled.
- Investors sometimes value accounting conservatism because it reduces the risk of overstated profits.
compassionate conservatism
1/kəmpˈæʃənɪt kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
conservative social concern
A kind of conservatism that says conservative ideas can also help people in need.
Examples
- The campaign used the language of compassionate conservatism to reach moderate voters.
- Critics argued that compassionate conservatism sounded generous but did not provide enough public support.
cultural conservatism
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚəl kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
protecting cultural traditions
The belief that a culture should protect its traditional values and ways of life.
Examples
- The debate reflected a wider mood of cultural conservatism in the country.
- His cultural conservatism made him suspicious of global entertainment trends.
fiscal conservatism
1/fˈɪskəl kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
government budget restraint
The belief that governments should spend and borrow carefully and avoid large debts.
Examples
- The candidate promised fiscal conservatism and a return to balanced budgets.
- Some voters liked her fiscal conservatism but disagreed with her views on social policy.
national conservatism
1/nˈæʃnəl kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
nationalist conservative politics
A kind of conservatism that puts the nation, borders, and national traditions at the center of politics.
Examples
- National conservatism has become more visible in several European elections.
- The speech combined national conservatism with promises to protect local industries.
one-nation conservatism
1/wˈʌn nˈeɪʃən kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
British moderate conservatism
A British type of conservatism that says society should stay united and the rich should accept duties toward others.
Examples
- The prime minister described his agenda as one-nation conservatism.
- One-nation conservatism has often been contrasted with more market-driven forms of the ideology.
small-c conservatism
1/smˈɔl sˈi kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
nonparty conservative attitude
A conservative attitude in everyday life, not necessarily support for a conservative political party.
Examples
- Her small-c conservatism made her skeptical of reorganizing the school.
- He has a streak of small-c conservatism, even though he has never voted for the Conservative Party.
social conservatism
1/sˈoʊʃəl kənsˈɚvətˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
traditional social values
The belief that society should keep traditional rules and values about family, religion, and personal behavior.
Examples
- The party's social conservatism appealed strongly to religious voters.
- Her economic views are moderate, but her social conservatism shapes her positions on education and family policy.