: opposed to or hostile toward political liberalism
Not all the comment on him was favourable, since he was seen as anti-Western, anti-liberal and a Russian nationalist.—
Geoffrey A. Hosking
Geoffrey A. Hosking
anti-liberalism
ˌan-tē-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
noun
ˌan-tī-
These romantic medievalists may moreover have strengthened Tolstoy's natural anti-intellectualism and anti-liberalism …
—Isaiah Berlin
Isaiah Berlin
Examples of anti-liberal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pushback by viewers in Sinclair and Nexstar’s ABC markets, and the perception that the companies are kowtowing to the FCC chairman’s anti-liberal ideology, could be a factor to lead the companies to relent.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
There are all these moments in our history that had anti-liberal movements.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
The most pronounced anti-liberal actions are happening nationally, with changes at exhibition spaces (like the Smithsonian Museum), and with broadcasters (like National Public Radio), both of which face pressure over content and financing due to actions of the federal government.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Kirk, a right-wing activist whose sometimes controversial anti-liberal statements inspired young conservatives and who was revered by President Donald Trump and his allies, was a master at messaging, and had been credited with swinging more of the youth vote toward Trump last November.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Modern leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán are anti-liberal.
—Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, the anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries of today have no sympathy for this legacy.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Before, people talked about liberals, anti-liberals, globalists, nationalists.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Fierce clashes have been prompted twice this year by the government's efforts to introduce anti-liberal legislation bearing striking similarities to similar laws passed in Russia -- specifically a foreign agents bill and measures restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
There are all these moments in our history that had anti-liberal movements.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
The most pronounced anti-liberal actions are happening nationally, with changes at exhibition spaces (like the Smithsonian Museum), and with broadcasters (like National Public Radio), both of which face pressure over content and financing due to actions of the federal government.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Kirk, a right-wing activist whose sometimes controversial anti-liberal statements inspired young conservatives and who was revered by President Donald Trump and his allies, was a master at messaging, and had been credited with swinging more of the youth vote toward Trump last November.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Modern leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán are anti-liberal.
—Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, the anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries of today have no sympathy for this legacy.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Before, people talked about liberals, anti-liberals, globalists, nationalists.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Fierce clashes have been prompted twice this year by the government's efforts to introduce anti-liberal legislation bearing striking similarities to similar laws passed in Russia -- specifically a foreign agents bill and measures restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Anti-liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-liberal. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share