liberal
favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.
favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
of or relating to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
open-minded or tolerant, especially free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
not strict or rigorous; not literal; free: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts.
of, relating to, or befitting a freeman.
a person of liberal principles or views, especially in politics or religion.
(often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, especially of the Liberal party in Great Britain.
Origin of liberal
1synonym study For liberal
Other words for liberal
Opposites for liberal
Other words from liberal
- lib·er·al·ly, adverb
- lib·er·al·ness, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·al·ness, noun
- half-lib·er·al, adjective
- non·lib·er·al, adjective
- o·ver·lib·er·al, adjective
- pre·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- pseu·do·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- qua·si-lib·er·al, adjective
- sem·i·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- un·lib·er·al, adjective
Words Nearby liberal
Other definitions for Liberal (2 of 2)
a city in SW Kansas.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use liberal in a sentence
She endorsed Biden in April — after Sanders, with whom she had been fighting for the liberal vote, did so — and was widely reported to have been on Biden’s short list as a possible running mate.
Trump, in town hall, says he wouldn’t have done anything differently on pandemic | Colby Itkowitz, Josh Dawsey, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 16, 2020 | Washington PostSan Diego’s new policy seems to be a little less liberal, according to a document obtained by Voice of San Diego.
The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified Is Terrified of Kids Opting Out | Will Huntsberry | September 10, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThat’s two of the court’s remaining four liberal justices in their 80s.
It’s a little bit more conservative, but you still have plenty of liberal thought here.
For the first time this century, a liberal Democratic candidate has a real shot at the seat, according to forecastsin the deep-red state.
Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive | Ayaan Hirsi Ali | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTo be a liberal, you have to stand up for liberal principles.
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’ | Lloyd Grove | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTA hundred ultra-wealthy liberal and conservative donors have taken over the political system.
liberal Democrats like to blow their bugles about how all the big money in politics comes from rich Republicans.
The election of 1964 produced the most liberal Congress since the Democratic landslide of 1936.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society | Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut the liberal soul deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand.
She must be freed through the progress of liberal ideas in France and Germany—not by her own inherent energies.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyThen he suddenly went in for politics and announced himself an uncompromising liberal.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonJoseph, with his liberal ideas, had attempted to free the people from clerical thraldom.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonA woman with such capabilities would be wasted in the rle of a mere countess—but as the wife of an aspiring liberal statesman!
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
British Dictionary definitions for liberal (1 of 2)
/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /
relating to or having social and political views that favour progress and reform
relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom
giving and generous in temperament or behaviour
tolerant of other people
abundant; lavish: a liberal helping of cream
not strict; free: a liberal translation
of or relating to an education that aims to develop general cultural interests and intellectual ability
a person who has liberal ideas or opinions
Origin of liberal
1Derived forms of liberal
- liberally, adverb
- liberalness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Liberal (2 of 2)
/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /
a member or supporter of a Liberal Party or Liberal Democrat party
of or relating to a Liberal Party
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for liberal
A descriptive term for persons, policies, and beliefs associated with liberalism.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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