illiberalism

noun

il·​lib·​er·​al·​ism (ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

plural illiberalisms

1

: opposition to or lack of liberalism and especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2)

Illiberalism is generally seen as a backlash against modern liberal and progressive ideas and policies, especially those meant to protect the rights and advance the aspirations of groups long pushed to the margins of American political life.

—Steven Hahn

2

: an instance of illiberal behavior

… a fierce opponent of Communist tyranny who has never thought that the sins of our enemies excused our own injustices and illiberalisms.

—Alan Ryan

Synonyms

• illiberality
• bigotry
• intolerance
• dogmatism
• sectarianism
• prejudice
• bias
• narrow-mindedness
• partisanship

Examples of illiberalism in a Sentence

They each accused the other of a form of illiberalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the India of the Cold War, which remained robustly liberal even when underperforming economically, India today, despite being more economically successful, has been markedly tainted by illiberalism and authoritarianism. —Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025

Hazony’s main project, the National Conservatism conference, has served as a hub connecting various different strands of illiberalism to each other and to power. —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

If so, or even if not, the results of illiberalism by governmental bodies on both sides of the Atlantic are clear for all to see. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

To their east, the once democratic governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have entered varying stages of descent into illiberalism and authoritarianism. —Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for illiberalism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism