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Definition of liberalnext
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liberal

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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

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
This is good news for the universities, students and liberal faculty who will be exposed to a broader range of disagreement from colleagues. Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2026 Hart’s stance infuriated some of his liberal supporters and sparked a Michigan recall petition to oust him from the Senate. John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Merz is a conservative Atlanticist and unapologetic economic liberal. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026 Though Reiner, a lifelong liberal, disagreed with Kirk's conservative beliefs, the filmmaker's remarks about the incident emphasized the importance of nonviolence. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Knock on doors, raise money for progressive candidates, and mobilize your friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Despite taking a progressive stand on labor, the Church nonetheless defended industrialization and private-property rights, forging a middle way that rejected both unfettered capitalism and socialism.
    Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Other publishers offered writers more generous rates, and Gernsback's reputation for occasionally stiffing his creditors became an advantage for his competitors.
    Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
  • There’s space to spread out, too, with notably generous layouts and extra-large bathroom vanities.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 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, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The proposal would tighten exemption requirements for companies that provide charitable nonprofit low- and moderate-income housing.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Jeremy Corbyn, the septuagenarian British leftist, who had already arrived in Havana by plane, met with high-ranking Communist Party officials in the presidential palace.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Melton’s Austin starts as a baby leftist crying over a dead bee, then becomes torn between the authentic Korean cultural education Chairwoman Park claims to offer him and the increasingly ambitious Ashley, who wants to leverage Austin’s heritage for her own personal gain.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet another secondary effect of the Iran war is the expansion of modern drone warfare to the Persian Gulf region.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Clinics use modern equipment and high-quality materials and keep prices affordable.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The still-plentiful coal trains south from Denver will subside as the coal plants at Pueblo, Fountain and other places retire in coming years.
    Allen Best, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • From my steward remembering my name to a bartender recalling my exact drink order amid a frenzied crowd during a late-night piano show, the staff are plentiful and seem genuinely eager to greet guests attentively, which creates a personalized atmosphere on a ship that is otherwise massive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But statement that seems so benevolent can be anything but.
    Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
  • With the eventual blessing of his benevolent landlords, Grattan has completely transformed the rental unit— widening doorways, upgrading electrical systems, and reimagining every wall and ceiling.
    Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Then Cash made another surprising move by leaving Vilade in to hit against Gaddis rather than pinch-hitting lefty Jake Fraley, and that also paid off when Vilade delivered an RBI single up the middle.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The veteran lefty will make at least two more rehab starts, with his next coming on Thursday.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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