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
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
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Now, fashion is very parochial and very predictable.—
James Fallon,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
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The book is filled with vulgar pictures, with many faces blacked out, and messages both handwritten and typed from well-wishers for Epstein’s 50th birthday.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The biopic is the vulgar but necessary tribute inherently populist cinema pays to more traditional, higher-brow art.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Her list continues with small but frustrating oversights.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Antoni, who once ran a Twitter account featuring bigoted attacks and conspiracy theories and who economists across the political spectrum say is unqualified, has suggested suspending the Bureau’s monthly job report altogether.—
Marianne Cooper,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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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
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Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Nothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One particularly notable viral video featured the son of a provincial government minister posing in front of a tree made from boxes of luxury labels including Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Gucci.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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The provincial assembly for the Gandaki province in Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city, was set on fire, as well as the Siraha District Court in southeast Nepal, and at least a dozen government buildings across the Rupandehi province and the Gautam Buddha International Airport in the area.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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