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noun

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

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
Carr has multiple probes in progress, and his investigation into CBS over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris has drawn condemnations from both liberal and conservative advocacy groups that describe it as a threat to the Constitutional right to free speech. ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 According to the Supreme Court transcript, Barrett later backed liberal judge, Sonia Sotomayor, in pointing out that low-income Medicaid recipients had to take the risk that they would not be reimbursed for some services. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Tolerance was once a quality liberals of yore coveted highly. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article Michelle Wu has climbed over Maura Healey, Elizabeth Warren and other liberals to become the new leader of the Trump resistance here in Massachusetts and across the nation. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • He was seen by many as a progressive figure, speaking out on issues like climate change, refugees and unbridled capitalism.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The mixed messaging would presage his style as a pontiff whose doctrinal conservatism would blend with increasingly progressive public statements.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Yeah, well, thank you for having me on and thank you for that really generous introduction.
    Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Of all the airlines, Alaska and Hawaiian offer the most generous commitments.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Cost is $20 per person with proceeds benefiting the club’s charitable causes.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the awkward journey to this match, Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton created a babyface vs. heel dynamic that is hard to come by given how jaded modern wrestling fans have become.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That Seguin came back is one of those modern medical marvels, but he can’t be expected to carry too much.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Color combinations of Masters green — also known as Pantone 342 — and Butter Yellow, the season’s hottest spring shade, have been plentiful.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Apple has long made iPhones in China through contract manufacturer Foxconn due to the country’s cheap, plentiful, and technically skilled labor.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The music is worshipped, but elsewhere there is an undercurrent of lawlessness and benevolent revolution.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This domino effect is the unintended benevolent effect of the one individual acting in their own self interest.
    Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Castellanos took consecutive changeups from Marlins lefty Anthony Veneziano for balls.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The lefty slugger struggled in his first trip to the Majors last spring, getting sent down to the minors for more seasoning.
    Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When Grant became president in 1869 and tried to crack down on the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, ex-Confederates demonized him as a radical extremist who had betrayed his promises to Lee.
    Made by History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These are not radical propositions but instead form baseline expectations for any organization that is entrusted with the lives, safety and stories of vulnerable people.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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