illiberalism

noun

il·​lib·​er·​al·​ism (ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

plural illiberalisms

1

: opposition to or lack of liberalism and especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2)

Illiberalism is generally seen as a backlash against modern liberal and progressive ideas and policies, especially those meant to protect the rights and advance the aspirations of groups long pushed to the margins of American political life.

—Steven Hahn

2

: an instance of illiberal behavior

… a fierce opponent of Communist tyranny who has never thought that the sins of our enemies excused our own injustices and illiberalisms.

—Alan Ryan

Synonyms

• bigotry
• dogmatism
• illiberality
• illiberalness
• intolerance
• intolerantness
• narrow-mindedness
• opinionatedness
• partisanship
• sectarianism
• small-mindedness

Examples of illiberalism in a Sentence

They each accused the other of a form of illiberalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the October 7th attacks in 2023, universities and college campuses have become front facing symbols for intolerance, illiberalism, and ideological echo chambers. —Manu Meel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

That lack of clarity and consensus in the face of increasing illiberalism and democratic backsliding weakens its position in the world, Sabanadze said. —Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

In the United States, the presidential election is shaping up to be a contest between two candidates who have different versions of economic illiberalism. —Macy Scheck, National Review, 26 June 2024

India’s growing power also brings into sharper relief a fundamental conundrum for the West: How to square the strategic imperatives of partnership with an accelerating Indian illiberalism that fuels transnational repression—including some allegedly carried out on Western soil. —Michael Kugelman, TIME, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1