as in generously
in a generous manner
she spread frosting liberally over the cake until it oozed over the edges
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Recent Examples of liberally
Tarantino’s movies are known for pithy, profane dialogue and are liberally peppered with pop-culture references, graphic violence, and over-the-top cinematic flourishes.
—
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
In Romandy, the historically and culturally French-speaking region of Switzerland, residents tend to vote more liberally and lead more cosmopolitan lives than those in other parts of the country.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
To clean grout, pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray grout liberally.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Most of the space is dimly lit, with spotlights that accentuate Thomas’s signature strass ornamentation—liberally applied not only to the outlines of her Black female figures, but also to their ruby-red lips, lustrous hair, the lines between their toes, and the surrounding decorative patterns.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
The trainings have evolved after federal agents in Chicago were accused of liberally deploying tear gas and pepper balls on protesters and other bystanders, Garvey said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
That could involve Siakam resting liberally in the late winter and early spring of 2026.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025
Nathan leans heavily into his own Orthodox Coptic Christian upbringing and borrows liberally from the rather obscure text of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas with material absent from the New Testament.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Trump has borrowed liberally (or perhaps more accurately, illiberally) from Orbán’s playbook for autocratic capture, and now Orbán is seeking favors in return.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
In Romandy, the historically and culturally French-speaking region of Switzerland, residents tend to vote more liberally and lead more cosmopolitan lives than those in other parts of the country.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
To clean grout, pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray grout liberally.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Most of the space is dimly lit, with spotlights that accentuate Thomas’s signature strass ornamentation—liberally applied not only to the outlines of her Black female figures, but also to their ruby-red lips, lustrous hair, the lines between their toes, and the surrounding decorative patterns.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
The trainings have evolved after federal agents in Chicago were accused of liberally deploying tear gas and pepper balls on protesters and other bystanders, Garvey said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
That could involve Siakam resting liberally in the late winter and early spring of 2026.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025
Nathan leans heavily into his own Orthodox Coptic Christian upbringing and borrows liberally from the rather obscure text of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas with material absent from the New Testament.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Trump has borrowed liberally (or perhaps more accurately, illiberally) from Orbán’s playbook for autocratic capture, and now Orbán is seeking favors in return.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberally
Adverb
-
Twenty years of hard work and persistence, blessed by occasional moments when chance had generously smiled on him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The strudel begins with a baked puff pastry base, generously layered with Bavarian cream and lightly glazed berries and other seasonal fruit.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Former collaborators Naomi Watts and Laura Dern, who also credited him with shaping their careers, paid tribute as well.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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Davidson, who shot 0 for 14 in the final three quarters, briefly left the game in the third as well, but returned for the start of the fourth.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Liberally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberally. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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