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illiberal

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adjective il·lib·er·al \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\

Definition of illiberal

  1. :  not liberal: such asa archaic (1) :  lacking a liberal education (2) :  lacking culture and refinementb :  not requiring the background of a liberal arts education illiberal occupationsc archaic :  not generous :  stingyd :  not broad-minded :  bigoted illiberal thinkinge :  opposed to liberalism illiberal tendencies

illiberality

play \(ˌ)i(l)-ˌli-bə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun

illiberally

play \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

illiberalness

play \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl-nəs\ noun

See illiberal defined for English-language learners

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Examples of illiberal in a Sentence

  1. an illiberal attitude toward sex

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

Origin and Etymology of illiberal

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin illiberalis ignoble, stingy, from Latin in- + liberalis liberal

illiberal Synonyms

Synonyms
narrow, insular, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded
Antonyms
broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant
Related Words
inflexible, ironbound, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, set, stubborn, unyielding, wrongheaded; bigoted, intolerant; biased, discriminating, discriminatory, jaundiced, one-sided, partial, partisan, prejudiced; brass bound, hidebound, old-fashioned, reactionary, stodgy, straitlaced (or straightlaced), stuffy; dogmatic (also dogmatical), opinionated, opinionative; limited; hick, unsophisticated
Near Antonyms
impartial, nonpartisan, objective, unbiased, unprejudiced; freethinking

ILLIBERAL Defined for English Language Learners

illiberal

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adjective

Definition of illiberal for English Language Learners

  • : not allowing people to think and act as they choose : not liberal

Learn More about illiberal

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for illiberal

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perfunctory

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done merely as a duty

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TRENDING NOW

  1. repugnant Trump clarifies his position on racism

  2. white nationalist, white supremacist Trending in 2017

  3. bereft "Lacking something needed, wanted, or expected"

  4. impanel "To choose people to serve on a jury"

  5. cosmopolitan "Worldly"

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illiberal

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Examples: illiberal in a Sentence