illiberal
adjective
il·lib·er·al
(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl 
: not liberal: such as
a
: not broad-minded : bigoted
illiberal thinking
b
: opposed to liberalism
illiberal tendencies
c
: not requiring the background of a liberal arts education
illiberal occupations
d
archaic
: not generous : stingy
e
archaic
(1)
: lacking a liberal education
(2)
: lacking culture and refinement
Synonyms
Examples of illiberal in a Sentence
an illiberal attitude toward sex
an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent
Recent Examples on the Web
The government’s response has been boldly illiberal.
—
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
In Latin America, solidarity movements succeeded in an extended campaign for independence from the Spanish crown, though, as Perl-Rosenthal notes, the revolutionary results frequently assumed an illiberal cast.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
First, unlike communism in 1989, illiberal populism is hardly in global retreat: indeed, a populist-authoritarian wind is blowing not only from countries such as Russia and China but also from the West.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024
The illiberal Hungarian prime minister is the bete noire of the European Union, a beloved hero to a major segment of the U.S. right and most vocal statesman among nationalists in the West.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Across Eurasia, Washington needs illiberal friends to confine its illiberal foes.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
The long-ruling illiberal leader makes no secret of his distaste for the liberal underpinnings of the European Union’s political project.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024
The fascist powers initially had little in common except illiberal governance and a desire to shatter the status quo.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024
These are the sorts of illiberal ideas that have risen in popularity.
—Richard K. Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
In Latin America, solidarity movements succeeded in an extended campaign for independence from the Spanish crown, though, as Perl-Rosenthal notes, the revolutionary results frequently assumed an illiberal cast.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
First, unlike communism in 1989, illiberal populism is hardly in global retreat: indeed, a populist-authoritarian wind is blowing not only from countries such as Russia and China but also from the West.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024
The illiberal Hungarian prime minister is the bete noire of the European Union, a beloved hero to a major segment of the U.S. right and most vocal statesman among nationalists in the West.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Across Eurasia, Washington needs illiberal friends to confine its illiberal foes.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
The long-ruling illiberal leader makes no secret of his distaste for the liberal underpinnings of the European Union’s political project.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024
The fascist powers initially had little in common except illiberal governance and a desire to shatter the status quo.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024
These are the sorts of illiberal ideas that have risen in popularity.
—Richard K. Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illiberal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near illiberal
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiberal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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