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definitions

liberalism

[ lib-er-uh-liz-uh m, lib-ruh- ]
/ ˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əm, ˈlɪb rə- /
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noun

the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
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.
(sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
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.

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RELATED WORDS

liberal, leftist, indulgence, magnanimity, sensitivity, understanding, leniency, patience, mercifulness, toleration, altruism, lenity, benevolence, endurance, grace, humanity, permission, compassion, liberality, clemency

Nearby words

  1. liberal party,
  2. liberal studies,
  3. liberal unionist,
  4. liberalia,
  5. liberalisation,
  6. liberality,
  7. liberalization,
  8. liberalize,
  9. liberally,
  10. liberate

Origin of liberalism

First recorded in 1810–20; liberal + -ism
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for liberalism

British Dictionary definitions for liberalism

liberalism

/ (ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm, ˈlɪbrə-) /

noun

liberal opinions, practices, or politics
a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority
Derived Formsliberalist, noun, adjectiveliberalistic, adjective
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
Word Origin and History for liberalism

liberalism

n.

1819, from liberal + -ism.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Culture definitions for liberalism

liberalism

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).

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.