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
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Recent Examples of illiberal
Even for those who work in international institutions, there could also be a price to pay for an illiberal America.
—
Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
By contrast, Bondi’s vow of wrathful punishment is profoundly illiberal, suggesting a lust for criminal vengeance.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Older Western societies are presented as inherently illiberal, to be contrasted unfavorably with the perfectly liberal society promised by the prophets of the progressive future.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
And within many democracies, the old assumptions that undergirded politics are in doubt; liberalism appears to be in disarray and illiberal forces on the rise.
—Daron Acemoglu, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
By contrast, Bondi’s vow of wrathful punishment is profoundly illiberal, suggesting a lust for criminal vengeance.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Older Western societies are presented as inherently illiberal, to be contrasted unfavorably with the perfectly liberal society promised by the prophets of the progressive future.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
And within many democracies, the old assumptions that undergirded politics are in doubt; liberalism appears to be in disarray and illiberal forces on the rise.
—Daron Acemoglu, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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Could the trajectory of a presidency and a major political party, and perhaps modern American history itself, really trace back to a parochial dispute at a Palm Beach club at the start of this century?—
Tara Palmeri,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
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The maximalism and somewhat uncompromising presumption of a newspaper, with its warren of sections and columns and byways, is a quiet reproach to its audience’s most parochial instincts.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The goal was for the GOP to hold onto a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power in midterms.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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The narrow waterway, just 21 miles wide, serves as a pinch point for 20 million barrels of crude every day, about one-fifth of global production.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Colt Gray sent grandmother concerning texts In her testimony, Polhamus reviewed several angry, vulgar text messages from Colt Gray that showed his spiraling mental health and penchant for outbursts.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Brush was also behind an 1898 National League rule that prohibited indecent, vulgar or obscene language.—
Libby Cierzniak,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But the proposal would only actually impact a small few — billionaires.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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The first call for help was a silent text message from an emergency beacon, mobilizing a small army of rescuers dispatched from different directions.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Backlash has been swift among many leading Democrats, and even conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, calling Fine's comments bigoted and Islamophobic, and demanding he be censured and step down.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke says the post reflects a ‘bigoted and racist regime’ with deliberate intent to harm and hurt people.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The vigil can come to look like voyeurism, the human care made crass.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Funny and silly without being crass or gross.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Anyone who takes or abandons a shopping cart can be convicted of a petty misdemeanor.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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Vanderpump Rules features all the petty drama of Real Housewives with a messy cast of (very flawed) characters who make plenty of mistakes and get into more than their fair share of conflict.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Last year’s conflict with Israel laid bare weaknesses in Iran’s command structures under pressure, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly becoming increasingly hard to reach and authority devolving to provincial governors.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Havana’s streets and all provincial cities are full of trash and waste dumps are overflowing due to the fuel crisis to the point that residents have begun to burn them.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated February 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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