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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
The move created opportunities for the Republican Party in a city that’s seen as more liberal. Idaho Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026 Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School, says Trump is pressuring news organizations and universities to address problems with liberal bias. Frank Langfitt, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Even John Stuart Mill, the model nineteenth-century liberal and a feminist, did not think that Indians in British India were ready for free speech. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025 Navratilova is known as a highly outspoken liberal as a former athlete. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Jackson was hospitalized in November and later diagnosed with a degenerative condition called progressive supranuclear palsy, CBS News reported.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 17 Feb. 2026
  • A day after the election, the National Anti-Corruption Commission found 44 progressive opposition lawmakers guilty for trying to amend lese majeste.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The most generous interpretation of the New Atheist view on this question is that people ought to have the freedom to decide for themselves.
    Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • There's little a generous spoonful of fresh field peas won't compliment.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has already blasted Peltola as a radical leftist in a new 45-second ad.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Rodríguez is a hard-line leftist with deeply anti-American views learned from her father, a Marxist guerrilla commander who died at the hands of Venezuelan security forces.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This level of coordination effectively marries ancient Chinese martial arts with modern precision engineering.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Analysts say the result could mean more stability for modern day Thailand, which has had three prime ministers in as many years and a 20-year cycle of military coups, violent street protests and paralyzing political instability.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • With regard to housing, incentives can be made available, lot sizes decreased, and alternative approaches are plentiful.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The best young players were fleeing to Sweden and Finland, where ice and opportunity were plentiful.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.
    Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
  • We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Aggies' lefty went 5⅓ innings, allowing seven hits and four runs in 83 pitches.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
  • As for the bullpen, the team will be without Ronny Henriquez, one of their top high-leverage arms in 2025, but beefed up the group by signing closer Pete Fairbanks and lefty John King this offseason.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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