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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liberal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liberal are bountiful, generous, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When could bountiful be used to replace liberal?

The words bountiful and liberal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When is generous a more appropriate choice than liberal?

The synonyms generous and liberal are sometimes interchangeable, but generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

In what contexts can munificent take the place of liberal?

While the synonyms munificent and liberal are close in meaning, munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of liberal
Adjective
Any center of liberal and free thought from pop music to Ivy League universities is vulnerable to authoritarian impulses. Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025 The brand’s name was to highlight the generational gap between the young, liberal baby boomers and their conservative post-war parents. Michael Loré, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
The court’s three liberals – Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson – agreed with the outcome of the case but had different reasoning. Cnn.com, Mercury News, 29 May 2025 In 1968, the Republican Party was still dominated by liberals like Nelson Rockefeller and John Lindsay. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • And maybe that sentiment contributed to the election of Bill de Blasio, who did run explicitly on being the most progressive candidate in the crowded 2013 primary.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Having said that, there is scope to be more expansive with his varied passing range; around 8.5 per cent of Todibo’s passes last season were progressive — just 11 top-flight centre-backs look forward with their passes less often.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Southern Living contributor Rick Bragg says the recipe is actually very simple: squishy white brand, salt and pepper, generous smears of mayo, and slices of juicy tomatoes.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • Cover the ice cream with sliced strawberries and drizzle on a generous amount of the wine sauce.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
    Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 7 June 2025
  • What started as a charitable gesture from The Salvation Army in 1938 has since evolved into an annual tradition for brands and customers alike.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Art Nouveau Brass Mirror This brass mirror from the 1960s blends modern trends with antique materials.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • Beneath this green canopy lies a modern transport facility equipped to handle high-speed rail and daily commuters, while above, the original 1907 station has been meticulously reconstructed as a cultural landmark.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • And jobs for graduates were largely plentiful, especially in the rapidly growing tech and healthcare sectors.
    David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • So buy the best example available, because needy cars are challenged by a paucity of plentiful parts.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • One benevolent man took out his phone and pulled up the CBS app to stream the show on the smallest of screen as tens of people watched over his shoulder.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • We Christians are sometimes tempted to consider the commitment to love our neighbor in sentimental ways, as a warm feeling in the heart, but nothing more binding than benevolent feelings toward another.
    Rick Fry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Boyd credited catcher Carson Kelly for recognizing the Nationals’ approach and adapted to their aggressiveness, which allowed the lefty to get early-count outs and pitch deep into the game.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • The lefty also retired 17 straight after a case of interference – a fan got in Aaron Judge’s way on a foul ball down the right field line – ended the sixth inning.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The festivities end on June 22 with KC Defender’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Cookout, which will celebrate the history of radical Black resistance.
    Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025
  • While Landy’s treatment would initially last only a year before his firing by Mike Love’s brother Stan, then the Beach Boys’ manager, his radical therapeutic approach appeared to stabilize Wilson’s behavior.
    Chris Morris, Variety, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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