1
as in progressive
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
parents who take a very liberal attitude toward letting their children stay out late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in generous
being more than enough without being excessive
he always puts liberal amounts of grated cheese on his pizza
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in charitable
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
a doctor who has been very liberal in dispensing low-cost care to patients who could not otherwise afford it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in leftist
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Scholars vigorously debate the reasons why the United States locks up more of its citizens than any other liberal democracy, or even most authoritarian regimes.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Scholars vigorously debate the reasons why the United States locks up more of its citizens than any other liberal democracy, or even most authoritarian regimes.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 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
-
Bobby Pulido is facing physician Ada Cuellar, a more progressive candidate endorsed by Crockett — another test of how much primary voters weigh party and ideological loyalty against the premise of electability.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Democrats are facing a tense primary of their own for the same seat, in what has become a progressive versus progressive standoff over how to win in a place where the party has lost ground and influence.—
Hunter Woodall,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The generous walkaround deck offers ample space for alfresco entertaining, with wetbars, fridges, and grills installed throughout.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But when the lens shifts toward the interior, articulating the woman’s private monologues, the attitude is softer and more generous, even when her words seem steeped in a sense of ongoing dread.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In December of last year, Scott published an essay on her website discussing her 2025 charitable contributions.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
28 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
-
The rooms The rooms carry the InterContinental’s signature sleek aesthetic, featuring warm wood, gold and cream accents, elegant reading lamps, and modern art adorning the walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
During the upcoming parliamentary meeting this year, policymakers are also expected to release details of a new five-year development plan, the 15th such program in China's modern history.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time, air temperatures are more moderate and rains often plentiful.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Opinions on the Clintons’ testimony in their New York town were plentiful.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While the kind of protection offered by Herakles or the Hulk comes with the risk of uncontrollable rage and indiscriminate destruction, and Oedipus seems more of a supervillain than a benevolent guardian, there was a kind of Greek hero that was seen as a defender.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The ceremonies are often visibly emotional, with Kim portrayed as a benevolent father figure.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The lefty continues to build a rapport with the catchers after signing a two-year deal in the offseason.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Piecing all that together, the lefty averaging 93 mph on his fastball during his first outing in spring training was noteworthy.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
