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
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
Putin is much more aggressive in propagating his ideology of illiberal nationalism and seeking to destroy the liberal international order.
—Michael McFaul, Wired News, 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
Newsweek: How can rights-conscious partners trust Sri Lanka when its security laws resemble those of an illiberal state?
—Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Putin is much more aggressive in propagating his ideology of illiberal nationalism and seeking to destroy the liberal international order.
—Michael McFaul, Wired News, 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
Newsweek: How can rights-conscious partners trust Sri Lanka when its security laws resemble those of an illiberal state?
—Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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Working-class voters visiting a Reform clubhouse were more likely to find young professionals discussing weighty matters of foreign policy rather than parochial issues like street paving.—
Daniel Wortel-London,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Looming over the desk is a giant cross made of yardsticks, those famous instruments of parochial-school torment, formed into a set of crosshairs.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Postseason football is defined by grit and narrow margins.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Industry experts cautioned that a military confrontation could provoke Iran to choke off the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that that connects the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea and through which nearly a third of the world's seaborne crude flows.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Although the Ripken card launched many conspiracy theories as to whether the inclusion of its vulgar phrase was truly a mistake or a Fleer marketing ploy, there is a long history of errors making it through quality control in sports card production.—
Tyler Holzhammer,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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The joke swap during last year's Christmas episode went to some particularly jaw-dropping places after Che made Jost read a vulgar joke about Johansson.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket and additional warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2026
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In fact, sometimes smaller heaters can match or outperform larger units, depending on their design.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond the recent bickering, Republicans have appeared to either endorse or allow bigoted attitudes to motivate the core conservative agenda – primarily their immigration policy.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Garlow condemned violence against Jewish people, even going so far as to call out people within his own faith who have expressed bigoted beliefs.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Season 4 does introduce the three new Americans via Tender — an online payment system used for gambling and pornography sites, which becomes the focal point of Season 4 — with Penn’s Jonah bringing a crass brand of American humor to the season premiere.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
14 Jan. 2026
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Often, the art created out of activism is productive and instructional, rather than crass or shocking, Duarte said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Who is not petty or vindictive.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The unrest soon spread to universities and provincial cities, with young men clashing with security forces.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Islamic Republic has lost many of its best and brightest to emigration, and the members of the élite who remain are, in general, from a more provincial background.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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