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
But today, the most important political cleft is not the fading distinction between right and left, but the rising conflict between liberal and illiberal, democratic and autocratic.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
The rise of illiberal leaders in countries such as Brazil, India, Israel, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States has also created a more congenial setting for the spread of these narratives.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
In Italy, Putin has nurtured personal relations with the illiberal nationalist leader Matteo Salvini.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2015, the Syrian refugee crisis contributed to the destabilization of European politics, fueling Brexit and a rise in illiberal governance.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
The rise of illiberal leaders in countries such as Brazil, India, Israel, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States has also created a more congenial setting for the spread of these narratives.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
In Italy, Putin has nurtured personal relations with the illiberal nationalist leader Matteo Salvini.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2015, the Syrian refugee crisis contributed to the destabilization of European politics, fueling Brexit and a rise in illiberal governance.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
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Rather, Colbert won after knocking, by his count, on 20,000 doors, wearing out several pairs of size 15 shoes and putting parochial concerns, such as wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness and flood control, at the center of his campaign.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The Democratic primary for the New York City mayor’s race has tightened further in the latest Marist Poll, with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ahead but with a narrower lead.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
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This is due to the narrow percentage of Black filmmakers who have been given the space to make and distribute films for theatrical release.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2025
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Between 12% and 13.3% of Americans, around 10% of Brits, and 9.4% of Australians used at least one vulgar word in their data.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The motherboard is quite a bit smaller than the Framework Laptop 13 board, and the two are definitely not interchangeable.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
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The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The blatantly bigoted decision will someday be overturned, but not without inflicting enormous pain in the interim.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Bea and Patience carry the show, while the rest of the ensemble is just sort of there, not really adding much, aside from Bea’s obnoxious and bigoted subordinate (played by Nathan Welsh) who is dismissive and sneering about Patience, both to her face and behind her back.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Most Popular Most Popular Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen’s crisis Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen's crisis Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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But beyond the crass remarks about Read, experts say less explosive messages about Proctor's early opinions of the investigation could be damning.—
Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The film is described as an intense drama about two Palestinian refugees living in Athens, caught between petty scams and the hope of a better life in Germany.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 June 2025
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In the end, what started as a petty doormat rivalry has turned into something much more joyful.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Many of these first-generation rock writers had grown up in thrall to the sounds that had emerged from provincial music scenes in places like Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit, San Francisco, Woodstock, and, above all, Liverpool.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
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All federal, state, provincial and local rules and regulations apply.—
Sourcing Journal,
Sourcing Journal,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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