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 of liberal in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Baldwin, dedicated to a variety of liberal causes, is the first openly lesbian woman elected to both the House and the Senate. —

Nancy C. Unger / Made By History, TIME, 28 Oct. 2024 MacLaine was active in politics throughout her life, campaigning for liberal lawmakers like George McGovern and Carter. —

Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals are down around 20 points to the Conservatives, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats are running third with less than 20% in the polls. —

Dave Lawler, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 Buy that dream house: See the best mortgage lenders Both liberals and conservatives use politics as a determining factor in moving The poll found that 30% of liberals and 27% of conservatives would keep politics in mind to determine moving. —

Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liberal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal

Adjective

The more progressive wing of the Democratic Party has called for the administration to issue an arms embargo on Israel and for Harris to do so as a part of her campaign.

Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
However, over time, the courts continued to become more hostile, arguing that things are unconstitutional in legislatures and challenging them in courts was no longer advancing a progressive agenda.

Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024