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Definition of liberalnext
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liberal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liberal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liberal are bountiful, generous, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When could bountiful be used to replace liberal?

The words bountiful and liberal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When is generous a more appropriate choice than liberal?

The synonyms generous and liberal are sometimes interchangeable, but generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

In what contexts can munificent take the place of liberal?

While the synonyms munificent and liberal are close in meaning, munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

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 liberal
Adjective
In Philadelphia, a liberal group that had received some support from AIPAC’s network just once found that the association was now toxic, hurting its ability to help a candidate. David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 June 2026 Here’s the liberal firebrand who wants to shake up Sacramento. George Skelton, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Noun
The bromide has it that a liberal is a person who won’t take his own side in an argument. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 Her efforts to come to terms with polyamory are couched as a political project—part of being an open-minded liberal—as much as a romantic one. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Soon, this recognition stretched to include representational painting by younger Black artists, as museums, galleries, and collectors still more clearly signaled their progressive intent.
    Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Still, Cepeda and Petro have maintained strong support among many Colombians because of progressive policies advanced under Petro, such as boosting the minimum wage.
    Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Your generous spirit shines when plans feel fair, so speak confidently and listen fully until both of you feel supported.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
  • The main residence carries an old-world hacienda rhythm, with open corridors, generous gathering spaces and a central kitchen and dining area made for breezes, long lunches and slow afternoons.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Swift has previously made several charitable donations, including $100,000 in February 2024, to the family of a woman killed at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, and $1 million in December 2023 toward natural disaster relief after storms in Tennessee.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
  • That ordeal pushed Chirac toward the charitable work that reshaped her public image.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Trailing far behind are two other candidates — community organizer Rae Huang, a leftist who has criticized Raman as too moderate; and tech entrepreneur Adam Miller, a centrist Democrat who promised to bring his managerial skills to City Hall.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • In New York, an inspiring young leftist competed against a boorish, but experienced, former governor to replace a corrupt mayor.
    Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • As with the rest of the hotel, rooms and suites blend extreme comfort and modern convenience with antique beauty, atmosphere and brilliant art.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Heritage varieties act as a genetic backup library, offering traits that modern breeding programs may need to draw on later.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Kids While the lobster is plentiful and the Champagne flows, the St Regis artfully avoids any pretension.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Thankfully, your options for compatible batteries are plentiful.
    Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • For Egyptians, crops would not grow without Horus and his benevolent eye shining down between the clouds.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
  • The overflow doctor had benevolent eyes and doughy cheeks, like fresh loaves of bread.
    Nami Mun, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The lefty the brass swore was the bedrock of the future rotation.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
  • Foremost, the lefty has reprised his career standing as one of his generation’s best singles hitters against right-handers.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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