libertarian

American  

[lib-er-tair-ee-uhn] / ˌlɪb ərˈtɛər i ən /

noun

1. a follower of a political philosophy or party that advocates individual liberty achieved by limiting the power of a central government.

   Whether left- or right-leaning, libertarians generally oppose taxation and support free trade.

2. a person who advocates liberty, especially with regard to thought or conduct.

3. a person who maintains the doctrine of free will (necessitarian ).

---

adjective

1. of or relating to a political philosophy or party that advocates individual liberty achieved by limiting the power of a central government.

   libertarian views;

   a libertarian economist.

2. advocating or conforming to the principles of liberty.

3. maintaining the doctrine of free will.

libertarian British  

/ ˌlɪbəˈtɛərɪən /

noun

1. a believer in freedom of thought, expression, etc

2. philosophy a believer in the doctrine of free will Compare determinism

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a libertarian

Other Word Forms

• antilibertarian adjective
• libertarianism noun

Etymology

Origin of libertarian

First recorded in 1780–90; libert(y) + -arian

Example Sentences

David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, said the government is relying on the shocking percentages, without proper context, to advance a narrative.

From Los Angeles Times

Created following the 2008 global financial crisis, bitcoin initially promoted a libertarian ideal and aspired to overthrow traditional monetary and financial institutions, such as central banks.

From Barron's

The 49-year-old libertarian MP, who has been compared to Argentina's Javier Milei for his plans to radically downsize the state, campaigned as an outsider who shoots from the hip on crime, communism and family values.

From Barron's

The heavily Republican city for years hosted the state’s Republican Party convention and donor retreats organized by right-wing libertarians David and Charles Koch.

From Los Angeles Times

Morality aside, it is in the self-interest of Republicans, conservatives and libertarians to make sure they fail.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• autonomous
• constitutional
• egalitarian
• free
• orderly
• popular