illiberal

American  

[ih-lib-er-uhl, ih-lib-ruhl] / ɪˈlɪb ər əl, ɪˈlɪb rəl /

adjective

1. narrowminded; bigoted.

   Synonyms:

   small-minded, hidebound, intolerant, biased

2. Archaic.

   1. not generous in giving; miserly; stingy.

   2. Chiefly Literary. without culture or refinement; unscholarly; vulgar.

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illiberal British  

/ ɪˈlɪbərəl /

adjective

1. narrow-minded; prejudiced; bigoted; intolerant

2. not generous; mean

3. lacking in culture or refinement

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Other Word Forms

• illiberalism noun
• illiberality noun
• illiberally adverb
• illiberalness noun

Etymology

Origin of illiberal

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin illīberālis “ignoble, mean”; il- ², liberal

Example Sentences

Even for those who work in international institutions, there could also be a price to pay for an illiberal America.

From Salon

Courageous in his commitment to scientific truth, he espouses opinions that can strike us as elitist and illiberal today.

From Los Angeles Times

"To not even be able to express opposition to the law whilst still complying with it seems to be very un-British, extremely illiberal and unnecessarily draconian," he said.

From BBC

For obvious reasons, Schmitt's theories about a state of exception, violence, totalitarianism, and nationalism were highly appealing for the Nazis and other such antidemocratic and illiberal movements and leaders.

From Salon

He is seen as having moderated somewhat since then, but his leadership is often described as illiberal and even autocratic.

From New York Times