Disclosed is a method for the synthesis of sterically hindered polymeric antioxidants based on phenol type antioxidant monomers. The method includes partially etherifying, polymerizing and thermally rearranging a phenol containing monomer represented by the following structural formula: ##STR00001## to produce a sterically hindered polymeric macromolecular antioxidant. X, R.sub.10 and q are as defined herein. The disclosed method is a simple, direct and economical process for the synthesis of sterically hindered polymeric macromolecular antioxidants.