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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illiberal
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
After Trump became president in 2016, many worried that the Internet instead made previously liberal societies more illiberal, drenching publics with disinformation.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
Right now, the transnational movement of illiberal nationalism is more organized, united, and strategic in its collective actions than the liberal democratic movement.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
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
After Trump became president in 2016, many worried that the Internet instead made previously liberal societies more illiberal, drenching publics with disinformation.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
Right now, the transnational movement of illiberal nationalism is more organized, united, and strategic in its collective actions than the liberal democratic movement.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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It could not be fenced off and become a parochial one now.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Investors might want to be less parochial just as political policy becomes increasingly so.—
Ron Insana,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sherrill has held a consistent yet narrow lead in recent surveys.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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This was a narrow approach, aimed at providing vouchers for students in districts that were in receivership (a sort of financial takeover primarily for financial issues).—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
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Amid the attention, the new pontiff's eldest brother has drawn scrutiny for social media posts praising Trump and using inflammatory, vulgar rhetoric toward Democrats and transgender people.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Atkinson took up golf for the first time and renewed his connection to scientific research, not the least of which was how a small white ball repeatedly avoids a hole in the ground.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2025
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The Court of International Trade previously rejected the small businesses' request to temporarily pause the tariffs while their lawsuit went forward, but then quickly scheduled Tuesday’s court hearing to decide whether to rule against the tariffs or impose a longer-term pause.—
Dietrich Knauth,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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According to Adams, who saw his famed cartoon cut from numerous outlets following bigoted remarks be made in 2023, the prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones will kill him within a matter of months.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
19 May 2025
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In that vein, centering a parent-child relationship like Flamingo and Lidia’s (and having several transgender aunts look out for a cisgender child by encircling her like a lion’s pride) is a stern rebuke of bigoted narratives about trans predation.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Related Articles Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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Grand Theft Auto is famous for its crass, satirical sense of humor.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Each encounter brings four options for how to beat that opponent, a prime opportunity to make petty jokes.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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As a result, defendants in Colorado’s municipal courts can face much longer sentences than those in state court for the same petty offenses, The Denver Post previously found.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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British Columbia also moved to expand its provincial tax incentive, in the face of a severe downturn in film employment in recent years.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
9 May 2025
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The group said that as provincial supervisor in Chicago for the Augustinian order in 2000, Prevost allowed a priest accused of abusing at least 13 minors to live at the Augustinian order’s St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park, half a block from St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School.—
Bob Ortega,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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