liberalism

[ lib-er-uh-liz-uhm, lib-ruh- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
2. a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
4. a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities.

liberalism

/ ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm; ˈlɪbrə- /

noun

1. liberal opinions, practices, or politics
2. a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority

liberalism

1. In the twentieth century, a viewpoint or ideology associated with free political institutions and religious toleration, as well as support for a strong role of government in regulating capitalism and constructing the welfare state (see also welfare state ).

Derived Forms

• ˌliberalˈistic, adjective
• ˈliberalist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• liber·al·ist noun adjective
• liber·al·istic adjective
• anti·liber·al·ism noun
• anti·liber·al·ist noun adjective
• anti·liber·al·istic adjective
• non·liber·al·ism noun
• semi·liber·al·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberalism¹

First recorded in 1810–20; liberal + -ism

Example Sentences

The problem Breyer describes in his book is one at the heart of liberalism.

From Vox

They came to believe New Deal liberalism was undermining American sovereignty and paving the way for Armageddon.

From Washington Post

The second half of the 1960s was not kind to his brand of liberalism.

From Washington Post

His liberalism was at heart a process not an ideology, his passion for change tempered by his faith in government institutions.

From Washington Post

To do so, Mondale articulated a new, more tempered liberalism.

From Washington Post

Sometimes democracy and liberalism are about speaking up about the great issues, like a massive foreign war.

From The Daily Beast

From its founding in 1914, The New Republic has been the flagship and forum of American liberalism.

From The Daily Beast

Liberalism in the United States today is the politics that dares not speak its name.

From The Daily Beast

Usually, though, old-fashioned Liberalism is very much at the fore in Puck.

From The Daily Beast

Even so, Maher has identified a problem within Western liberalism today.

From The Daily Beast

Sir Graham took me up and we fell into a discussion of the changing qualities of Liberalism.

From Project Gutenberg

This reunion of the Conservatives became the nucleus of a great reaction against Liberalism.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Prussian parliament seventy-three members broke off from the rest, calling themselves Reaction against Liberalism.

From Project Gutenberg

It is noticeable that in 1894 when this motion was introduced it was lost; a striking instance of the decay of Liberalism.

From Project Gutenberg

You should first know what Liberalism means, and then assure yourself that the thing itself is good.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• left-winger
• leftist
• liberal
• progressive
• radical