LIBERAL Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

liberal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈli-b(ə-)rəl

Definition of liberal next

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

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

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

liberal

2 of 2

noun

as in leftist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of liberal

Adjective

The liberal economic reforms spearheaded by President Javier Milei have sent ripples through global financial markets, attracting both optimism and skepticism. —

Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 The administration has accused USAID’s programs of being wasteful and promoting a liberal agenda. —

Ellen Knickmayer and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Noun

The council also restricted who could give the opening prayer before council meetings and stripped the three liberals on the council of assignments on boards and commissions. —

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 For instance, Abdolreza Davari, a former advisor to Ahmadinejad, has compared him to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who—although hardly a liberal—has opened Saudi Arabia’s economy and lifted many social restrictions. —

Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for liberal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal

Adjective

Setting up your trusts in states that are leaders in modifying trust laws in progressive ways to address tax law and other changes from the inception of the trust can prove advantageous for the reasons illustrated in the preceding paragraph.

— Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
And there’s something deceptively progressive in those stories.

— Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025