liberal 1 of 2

1
2
3

liberal

2 of 2

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
By supporting free-market ideas, which even many liberals embraced during the Clinton era, people unintentionally provided cover for those promoting more extreme beliefs about biological inequality. Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 Musk’s work for Trump, meanwhile, had alienated liberals and centrists, tanking Tesla’s sales and stock price. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Noun
For those of us in the trenches of X, the meltdown was a familiar sight, echoing the contempt that the tech elite have directed at San Francisco for years, with the endless lamentations of anarchy at pharmacy branches in Union Square or the liberal policies of politicians like Aaron Peskin. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 30 June 2025 Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in dissent for the three liberal justices that public schools expose children to different views in a multicultural society. Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Mamdani, who espouses more progressive socialist-leaning views, wants to make New York City more affordable for all, paid for through more taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Despite representing a team that finished 11th in the most recent Liga F season, Jacinto finished in the top 10 for progressive passes (third, with 238), key passes (joint eighth, with 49), passes into the final third (fifth, with 221), and passes into the penalty area (seventh, with 43).
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both the House and Senate bills would phase out the more generous deduction for many households starting at $500,000.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • As much as people talk about the U.S. and other countries becoming ever more individualistic, generations of American kin are arguably growing closer on average, researchers told me, and becoming more generous with one another.
    Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The charitable event, which launched in 2006 as an offshoot of the 24 Hour Plays project, has strict rules.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • Buckingham, on her part, just wants to know the whereabouts of Rak and to go forward with other charitable efforts.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • And Sánchez, who styles himself a modern, progressive man, surely knew how coarse and sexist these men were.
    Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
  • While Scandinavian style has been at the vanguard of modern living for over a century, Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design festival has firmly cemented the Danish city as a design capital.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Fresh air is plentiful, relaxation is paramount, and travelers come from the Big Apple and beyond to experience it.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • Despite the card’s massive print run and plentiful graded copies, PSA 10s currently command prices around $3,000, which marks a nearly 57 percent price increase over the last two years.
    Tyler Holzhammer, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Seven, a unity in seeking a sound, fair, and benevolent immigration reform is prompted by economic interest as well.
    Timothy Cardinal Dolan, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
  • In 2005, a benevolent dust devil blew dust off the Spirit rover's solar panels, increasing its power levels.
    Unnati Ashar, Space.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Kwan's trade value is high, and the Reds may be unwilling to part with much of their farm system to acquire the lefty.
    Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • The lefty has surrendered one run or fewer in 12 of his 16 starts this season.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • True love for this country has become rarer today, and in fact, radical hatred has become more common.
    Linda McMahon, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
  • Student activists and radical thinkers were desperate to reform and strengthen China.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on liberal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!