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

Examples 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

To begin with, having only 107 days to run a presidential campaign would be a tall order for any politician, let alone a relatively unknown Black woman from what is arguably the most liberal state in the country. —

Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 At the same time, Democrats hoped that all their voters would be willing to cast their ballot for democracy, not realizing that many working-class Americans, even the liberal ones, are more worried about the economy and inflation. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Noun

The book came out in the summer of 2016 just as Donald Trump was surging in the polls, leaving liberals searching for something, anything, to explain Trump’s popularity in Middle America. —

Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Harris has support from 11 percent of conservatives, while Trump has support from 4 percent of liberals. —

Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liberal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal

Adjective

Read: Why did this progressive evangelical church fall apart?

Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
Instead, 2023 is just one of several progressive high points sure to look more rose-tinted in Hollywood’s rear-view.

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024