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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
Wu, an unabashed liberal, now could be following those legendary mayors with a resounding win against Kraft. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025 Gebbia — a billionaire entrepreneur who was long considered a Silicon Valley liberal — said his shift began around 2021, when the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border left him deeply concerned. Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
In liberal parlance, that’s a Do Pass Go and Do Collect Millions card. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025 Today, House Republicans, who have already approved a government funding bill minus the Democratic demands, said the liberal base is keeping its boot on the neck of Senate Democrats and blocking negotiations, as the poll suggests. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • One of the most basic versions is a progressive relaxation technique, a countdown from 10 to 1 where Perri uses what are known as hypnotic language patterns.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Bernal says Mamdani overcame Cuomo's attacks over his relatively thin resume by offering big progressive ideas, like freezing apartment rents and offering free city bus service, that appeal to many young voters.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With generous scoops and homemade flavors like Chocolate Fluffer Nutter, Black Raspberry, and Almond Bark, this small-batch, family-run shop is a true Syracuse staple.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The tiny house features generous glazing, including a double glass door entrance which opens next to the combined living/sleeping area.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • 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, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That includes Valentín, a leftist whose own dreams of revolution have been cut short by the dictatorship’s crackdowns.
    Blythe Marks, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
  • His cultural critiques were unmistakably right-wing, but his scorn for the corporatization of universities might have come from the mouth of a disaffected leftist.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nielsen, which tracks television ratings, now includes more modern devices in its tracking, an adjustment that has been expected to show higher sports viewership across the board.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Their shoes’ aesthetic blends modern minimalism with classic styles that are designed to be subtle enough for everyday wear but with a twist thanks to the footwear’s unexpected details.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Once plentiful natural gas exports have plummeted, inflation is at a 40-year high, and fuel is scarce.
    Reuters 3 min ago, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In five years, the Academy Museum Gala has blossomed from the mishmash of style seen on its opening night in 2021 to a polished evening of haute couture, bespoke tuxedos and plentiful high jewelry, all served up on a blue carpet that was a new addition to the annual fundraiser.
    Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The short war in Cuba gained the United States the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico; turned the nation into a Pacific power; and created beliefs that America was a stern yet benevolent country tasked by Destiny to enforce peace and bring prosperity to the world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Since that time, says Paine, even those fortunate enough to live under benevolent rule have seldom been more than one generation away from yet another dreadful monarch.
    Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The right-hander out of Florida was Boston’s next player taken after Tolle and was selected ahead of fifth-round lefty Brandon Clarke, who spent time this past year in Baseball America’s Top 100, but Neely didn’t pitch at all in 2025 due to forearm tightness.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • As a 6-foot lefty, Young has been labeled by some as the G League’s Jalen Brunson because of some similarities in their games.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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