1
as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in narrow
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
some of the more illiberal residents were opposed to having a hospice for AIDS patients in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulgar
archaic
lacking in refinement or good taste
people who had been scorned as illiberal because they were poor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 illiberal
As a consequence, the illiberal, unhinged right, now united behind Trump, has stolen a march on them.
—
Book Marks
august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025
Its opposite—illiberal—means stingy, narrow-minded, intolerant, provincial, unenlightened, and using government to insure the flourishing of only the few.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rise of chauvinistic, illiberal parties and movements is an international phenomenon.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Today, the most obvious examples of this backsliding can be found in Asia, where an increasingly assertive China is attempting to redraw the regional rules of the road, and in Europe, where Russian rubles and wan Western politicians have helped prompt the rise of illiberal parties.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Book Marks
august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025
Its opposite—illiberal—means stingy, narrow-minded, intolerant, provincial, unenlightened, and using government to insure the flourishing of only the few.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rise of chauvinistic, illiberal parties and movements is an international phenomenon.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Today, the most obvious examples of this backsliding can be found in Asia, where an increasingly assertive China is attempting to redraw the regional rules of the road, and in Europe, where Russian rubles and wan Western politicians have helped prompt the rise of illiberal parties.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
-
This week, in parochial and Christian schools across Chicago and the suburbs, schoolchildren filed into pews with their classmates to observe church services ahead of the school day.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Funded by political parties and subscribers, such papers were thoroughly partisan and parochial.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
They’re also made with arch support and a toe box that’s not too narrow or crammed, per the brand, plus the rubber sole offers a nice cushioned platform with each step.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the outcomes could shape the balance of power heading into 2026.—
Grace Sandman,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gilliam is not contesting states' rights to ban profane, sexualized or vulgar plates.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Two Beal City high schoolers received thousands of vulgar text messages from an unknown sender for months.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even if advised by a manufacturer, the marble cleaning solution should still be tested on a small, inconspicuous area before getting started.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Her list continues with small but frustrating oversights.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But Target’s response frustrated supporters of gay and transgender rights, who said the company caved to bigoted pressure.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Some were explicit, bigoted and violated xAI’s rules.—
Iain Martin,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Edwards, along with protesting comrade Tom Hopper (Raife Hastings) and crass CIA contractor Jules Landry (Luke Hemsworth) join a secret CIA unit fighting terrorism in Europe.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next 1,358 days, there would be just a handful of credible sightings of Phillips, mostly connected with petty crimes in nearby small towns.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The trial also resulted in five other convictions of hospital and provincial health officials for concealment and omission-of-duty counts, the Buenos Aires Times and Chequeado reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Most of the injured were taken to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre by air and land, a spokesperson for the provincial health organization Shared Health said in a statement to CNN.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share