ILLIBERALISMS Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

illiberalism

noun

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm

Definition of illiberalism

as in illiberality

stubborn or intolerant adherence to one's opinions or prejudices They each accused the other of a form of illiberalism.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of illiberalism The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance. — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 Journalist Anne Applebaum has documented how elites accommodate themselves to illiberalism, finding advantage in proximity to power even as institutions decay. — Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026 One of the abiding strengths of any genuinely liberal order—domestic or international—is that within it illiberalism can exist, and do damage, without posing an existential threat to it. — Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 Space warfare, cyber defense, mass migration, corruption, and illiberalism require fluency, adaptability, empathy, and collaboration. — Loree Sutton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illiberalism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberalism

Noun

In many places, French’s unapologetic, unvarnished bigotry would be disqualifying.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Even amid extraordinary acts of solidarity, Muslim, Arab, and South Asian Americans were subjected to hatred and bigotry, some of which persists today.

— Steven Fulop, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of bigotry

Noun

Because of this, Halperin says many people with mild lactose intolerance tolerate kefir better than ordinary milk, though kefir is not lactose-free unless labeled accordingly.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
Symptoms include baby fever, exacerbated by the pregnancy announcement of her sister Macy (Zosia Mamet), and an intolerance to her pompous, long-term but non-committal boyfriend Spencer (Finn Wittrock).

— Katie Walsh, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of intolerance

Noun

When authenticity becomes uncompromising, candor turns belligerent, consistency becomes rigid, or principled decision-making morphs into dogmatism, even the best intentions can backfire.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
By staying so close to black metal’s core sound, Marchenko does more to undermine the dogmatism—both racial and aesthetic—of Vikernes and his ilk than a more obviously experimental project might.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of dogmatism

Noun

Harper and Wilf are wary of Frith’s visits with Philip, and other characters with their own issues or prejudices have their say as well.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Controversially, Documenta’s explication of antisemitism relies on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, which considers criticism of Israel a form of prejudice.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of prejudice

Noun

While our new girl bias isn’t as strong as Victoria’s, having those two decades of backstory on her does give a leg up in terms of whose plight is easier to invest in.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
The hiring manager’s standards stop living only in people’s heads and start living in the system, applied without misinterpretation or human bias.

— Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bias

Noun

That narrow-mindedness is immediately apparent when Nick asks his congregation to help the group of unhoused people, a little over a dozen souls or so, who live in a makeshift camp on the edge of town.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Mann loves a man with an obsession, but this sentiment is about expanding that narrow-mindedness to make space in our lives for others.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of narrow-mindedness

Noun

This suggests that declining faith goes beyond partisanship and reflects a more fundamental question about this group’s sense of belonging.

— Diana Orcés, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
The partisanship changes will still wait until two years from now, but in November, voters throughout the county will be able to select candidates.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of partisanship

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“Illiberalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberalism. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of illiberalism

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