lib·er·al
ˈli-b(ə-)rəl
1
a
: inclined to be open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional : broad-minded, tolerant
My father is more liberal and loving than twenty fathers combined.—Karan Mahajan
Europeans generally have more liberal attitudes toward sex than Americans.—Scott Stossel
b
: of, relating to, or favoring a philosophy of liberalism (see liberalism sense 1), especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a) and often also social liberalism
a liberal newspaper columnist
a liberal Democrat in a family of conservative Republicans
pushing for liberal reforms
The discussion on the bench did not break down along the usual ideological lines, but the court's three liberal justices voiced the strongest concerns about ensuring citizens have access to public officials and critical community information online.—Ann E. Marimow
In liberal states, policymakers are forging ahead with legislation to protect reproductive data online.—Cat Zakrzewski
Conversely, courts in California have often been viewed as a receptive field of battle for liberal organizations … on matters including immigration, the environment, and voting rights.—Abbie VanSickle
Divisions have erupted, along conservative and liberal lines, over how race, history and gender are taught, and how LGBTQ students and issues are treated in the schools.—Hannah Kirby
c
Liberal
: of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a)
the Liberal Party of Canada
the Liberal Party of New York
2
: relating to economic liberalism (see liberalism sense 2d)
In truth, investment is consistent with both a conservative and a liberal economic philosophy, as American leaders dating to Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson have recognized.—David Leonhardt
They were tethered to classically liberal dogmas on the primacy of the market, as well as to an international order shaped by American financial and military preeminence.—Ishaan Tharoor
3
a
: marked by generosity : openhanded
a liberal supporter of the museum
4
: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
a degree in liberal studies
Classical education, like liberal education, begins from a perspective of respect, not of politics.—Adam M. Carrington
5
a
: not strict or exact : loose
… the crews generally have a fairly liberal interpretation of regulations, and once safely airborne, allow the passengers to sprawl about the cabin however they desire …—Jay A. Stout
He called himself Mr. Richmouth (a liberal translation of Riccabocca).—Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Louisiana's alligator hunting regs are fairly liberal, except that no nighttime hunting is allowed.—Will Brantley
b
obsolete
: without the required or expected restraint
… I will speak as liberal as the north; / Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.—William Shakespeare
liberalness
noun
plural liberals
: a person who is liberal (see liberal entry 1): such as
a
: an adherent or advocate of liberalism and especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a)
… the causes liberals have championed—racial and gender equality, workers' rights, equal opportunity, and so on …—David McCabe
King's [Martin Luther King, Jr.'s] Christianity presents a challenge to liberals, who are often uncomfortable with religion in the public square, as well as to conservatives, who are more likely to embrace religion in politics but don't align themselves with the implications of many of King's core beliefs.—Jonathan Eig
During his eight years in the Ohio House, Ramos was an outspoken liberal who, among other things, pushed for the abolition of the state's death penalty, legalized medical marijuana, making college more affordable, and state pension reform.—Jeremy Pelzer
But criminal justice reform may prove more difficult to rally around, pitting conservative law-and-order advocates against social- and racial-justice liberals.—Laurent Belsie
see also classical liberal
b
Liberal plural Liberals
: a member or supporter of a Liberal (see liberal entry 1 sense 1c) political party
c
: someone who is open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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