Synonyms of illiberal

illiberal

adjective

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl 

1

as in parochial

not broad or open in views or opinions

an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• parochial
• small
• petty
• narrow
• sectarian
• insular
• provincial
• little
• narrow-minded
• stubborn
• small-minded
• bigoted
• Lilliputian
• rigid
• wrongheaded
• discriminatory
• picayune
• intolerant
• partisan
• reactionary
• obstinate
• obdurate
• dogmatic
• biased
• inflexible
• ironbound
• prejudiced
• stodgy
• limited
• hidebound
• opinionated
• old-fashioned
• unyielding
• discriminating
• partial
• opinionative
• unsophisticated
• jaundiced
• one-sided
• straitlaced
• stuffy
• set
• hick
• brassbound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• cosmopolitan
• tolerant
• open
• receptive
• catholic
• impartial
• objective
• broad-minded
• unprejudiced
• unbiased
• nonpartisan
• open-minded
• freethinking

2

as in narrow

unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints

some of the more illiberal residents were opposed to having a hospice for AIDS patients in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• narrow
• parochial
• bigoted
• provincial
• intolerant
• prejudiced
• narrow-minded
• reactionary
• small-minded
• partisan
• partial
• insular
• hidebound
• old-fashioned
• blindfolded
• biased
• blinkered
• one-sided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• extreme
• tolerant
• radical
• progressive
• unprejudiced
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• impartial
• objective
• unbiased

3

as in vulgar

archaic lacking in refinement or good taste

people who had been scorned as illiberal because they were poor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulgar
• crass
• rude
• common
• coarse
• crude
• uncouth
• clumsy
• gross
• uncultured
• rough
• raffish
• uncultivated
• tasteless
• lowbrow
• rugged
• unpolished
• unrefined
• ill-bred
• insensible
• low
• rough-hewn
• ungentlemanly
• boorish
• loutish
• thoughtless
• churlish
• clownish
• roughneck
• lowbred
• oafish
• incult
• barbarous
• inconsiderate
• rustic
• unsophisticated
• cloddish
• insensitive
• indelicate
• uncivilized
• lubberly
• provincial
• barbaric
• lumpish
• inelegant
• graceless
• unmannerly
• countrified
• tacky
• unmannered
• mannerless
• animallike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilized
• smooth
• aristocratic
• genteel
• cultured
• polished
• tasteful
• cultivated
• refined
• patrician
• elegant
• courtly
• well-bred
• graceful
• restrained
• sensitive
• thoughtful
• ultrarefined
• gracious
• sophisticated
• considerate
• urbane
• citified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of illiberal

After 16 years of rule by Orbán’s illiberal Fidesz party, the electoral playing field had been so tilted against his opponents that some questioned whether an alternative was possible. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026

This election could reshape not just Hungary but signal a broader European rejection of the illiberal, nationalist movements Orbán inspired among the global far-right. — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Scholars of comparative authoritarianism have long identified the selective application of harsh criminal penalties as a hallmark of illiberal governance. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026

As Orbán over the past decade took a forceful stance against migrants and refugees and proclaimed himself Europe's champion of illiberal Christian democracy, Budapest became a magnet for American conservatives. — Catherine Belton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026