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
Nina Totenberg, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Critics have been asking whether, with Liberals like these, one even needs Conservatives, or ones like Poilievre, at least.
—David Moscrop, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Russian power is limited to establishing a Eurasian sphere of influence across its former Soviet republics and disrupting liberal democracies.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liberal
Adjective
Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the court's conservatives save Chief Justice John Roberts, who sided with the court's three liberals.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Critics have been asking whether, with Liberals like these, one even needs Conservatives, or ones like Poilievre, at least.
—David Moscrop, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
There’s plenty of room in the liberal tent for debate and discussion.
—Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Russian power is limited to establishing a Eurasian sphere of influence across its former Soviet republics and disrupting liberal democracies.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
-
The Mynatts are among the rising ranks of parents and caregivers frustrated by one-size-fits-all schooling who are seeking something more aligned with their values and viewpoints—whether progressive or conservative.—
Kerry McDonald,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In the 1990s, Bill was decades of biblical study away from that progressive stance.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Or, head over to Dutchman’s Seafood, aka The Dutchie, for generous filets of local sole and Skuna Bay salmon with views of Morro Rock.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Curved walls, brass accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows frame a generous living space—complete with a dining table that arcs like a ship’s keel and a cocktail-ready bar that glows at night.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Decluttering your own home might not be motivating on its own, but supporting charitable organizations, reducing landfill waste, and helping others find affordable essentials through donating to thrift stores often does the trick.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors said the former president sought to illegally retain power after losing the 2022 election to Lula, a veteran leftist who returned to the presidency after previously serving two terms.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement In Chile, another leftist, President Gabriel Boric, has endured broad criticism over his government’s inability to address the country’s rising murder rate.—
Christopher Sabatini,
Time,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Information operations and psychological warfare are a key component of modern war — and arguably nowhere is this truer than in the Israel-Islamist conflict.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Watch a modern student tackle an assignment.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Plumier told IndyStar that bullfrogs and green frogs are so plentiful and quick to breed that frog hunting hasn’t proven harmful to their populations in Indiana.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
While the water-ice leftovers may be more plentiful, nitrogen ice shines more brightly.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The researchers call their approach a form of benevolent hacking that helps strengthen AI systems before weaknesses can be exploited.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The social politics of these movies have never been great — the real-life Warrens were, by all accounts, pretty shitty people and not the gorgeous, benevolent forces portrayed by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson — but that’s easily dismissed in the name of movie magic.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After Cincinnati Reds All-Star Andrew Abbott had more runs on his line score than innings in Friday’s loss to the New York Mets, Reds manager Terry Francona noted that the 26-year-old lefty hadn’t lost his stuff, but his swagger.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Boston bats jumped out to an immediate 5-0 lead against ex-Red Sox lefty Jeffrey Springs in the first two innings.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share