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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
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
Some liberal commentators privately feared left-wing scapegoating. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025 Influential congressman Jim Clyburn speaks at his rally, but will California’s liberal image wreck his chances? Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Collier took a more progressive approach to Native issues.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
  • Last season, 33 per cent of his total carries in the Premier League were progressive, defined as carries greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition goal — only Jeremy Doku (38 per cent) had a higher share among players who played at least 900 minutes.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • When a wage proposal this significant is combined with zero-premium healthcare and generous retirement contributions, there is no question who is responsible for this ongoing strike: Teamsters Local 25 and its president Tom Mari.
    Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 14 July 2025
  • This is an excellent, strange little book that appeared in 2011 and had a profound impact on me, and apparently on Florence Welch who adorns the cover with a generous quote.
    Hattie Williams July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • There are a number of prominent changes to charitable tax deduction rules, but the bigger story is how OBBBA overall will change charitable planning for some taxpayers.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • It's been 100 years, and echoes of the controversial Scopes Monkey Trial, which pitted modern science against creationism, can still be heard around the world and seen in Dayton, TN, the heart of the trial.
    Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025
  • Even with higher on-average incomes, gay parents face the same challenges of the modern economy as straight ones — from student loan repayments to a carton of eggs.
    Sam Raus, Oc Register, 13 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
  • 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
  • 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
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 was very clearly one of the best players on the floor in every game this past week.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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