liberalism
noun
lib·er·al·ism
ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: the quality or state of being liberal
2
a
often capitalized
: a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity
b
: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard (see gold standard sense 1)
c
: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy (see autonomy sense 2) of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties
specifically
: such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class)
d
capitalized
: the principles and policies of a Liberal (see liberal entry 1 sense 6b) party
Examples of liberalism in a Sentence
liberalism had always claimed to stand for the greatest social good
Recent Examples on the Web
In this sense, critics of Israel who claim that American Jews must choose between Zionism and liberalism have it backward.
—
Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Whose reservoir of resentment against liberalism is as wide and deep as yours.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Scholars have long asserted that the ways in which Confucianism was applied to nineteenth-century Chinese politics had left the country sclerotic—unable to engage with modern Western ideologies such as capitalism, liberalism, and nationalism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
California is a stronghold of liberalism, but the Central Valley, where the scent of manure rims the highways and cattle ranchers tend winter grass, is a redoubt of conservatism.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Her concert program will focus on music from the Weimar Republic era in Germany, from the post-WWI liberalism in 1918 to the rise of fascism in 1933.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Monetarism was a direct challenge to New Deal liberalism, which prioritized employment over managing inflation.
—Krithika Varagur, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2024
Suddenly, America’s unipolar moment had arrived, and the global triumph of liberalism seemed sure to follow.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
Nevertheless, mandating cursive for kids is California liberalism at its worst.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Whose reservoir of resentment against liberalism is as wide and deep as yours.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Scholars have long asserted that the ways in which Confucianism was applied to nineteenth-century Chinese politics had left the country sclerotic—unable to engage with modern Western ideologies such as capitalism, liberalism, and nationalism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
California is a stronghold of liberalism, but the Central Valley, where the scent of manure rims the highways and cattle ranchers tend winter grass, is a redoubt of conservatism.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Her concert program will focus on music from the Weimar Republic era in Germany, from the post-WWI liberalism in 1918 to the rise of fascism in 1933.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Monetarism was a direct challenge to New Deal liberalism, which prioritized employment over managing inflation.
—Krithika Varagur, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2024
Suddenly, America’s unipolar moment had arrived, and the global triumph of liberalism seemed sure to follow.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
Nevertheless, mandating cursive for kids is California liberalism at its worst.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liberalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near liberalism
Cite this Entry
“Liberalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberalism. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liberalism
noun
lib·er·al·ism
ˈlib(-ə)-rə-ˌliz-əm
: a political belief stressing progress, the essential goodness of humankind, and individual freedom
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