Institutionalist is a term that refers to a person or group of people who are committed to upholding the values and practices of an established or traditional institution. Synonyms for this term can include traditionalist, conservative, conformist, orthodox, or even august. Each of these words carries a slightly different connotation, but all speak to the idea of a person who is dedicated to preserving the established way of doing things. Whether they are focused on maintaining social, political, or economic institutions, these individuals see value in tradition and stability and may be hesitant to embrace change or innovation.