1
as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in narrow
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
some of the more illiberal residents were opposed to having a hospice for AIDS patients in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulgar
archaic
lacking in refinement or good taste
people who had been scorned as illiberal because they were poor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illiberal
Second, Africa's declining support for democracy provides a clear opening for illiberal actors.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Imagining an illiberal, renegade United States is only a matter of taking seriously what Trump says.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
When China challenged American leadership, Putin provoked the Biden administration into suggesting that America, the defender of the liberal order, exploits that order in illiberal ways.
—Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Far from being an example of virtuous liberty turning into dangerous license, Germany under Adolf Hitler was engaged in precisely the sort of undemocratic, illiberal authoritarianism that Vance was condemning.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Imagining an illiberal, renegade United States is only a matter of taking seriously what Trump says.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
When China challenged American leadership, Putin provoked the Biden administration into suggesting that America, the defender of the liberal order, exploits that order in illiberal ways.
—Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Far from being an example of virtuous liberty turning into dangerous license, Germany under Adolf Hitler was engaged in precisely the sort of undemocratic, illiberal authoritarianism that Vance was condemning.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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Currently the parochial vicar at St. Lucy Parish in Campbell, Rev. Pedigo formerly served as pastor at St. Julie Billiart and Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose.—
Sal Pizarro,
The Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2025
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At this point, any family that wants their child to attend a private school is now able to get more than $8,000 per year to pay private or parochial tuition.—
Letters to the Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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When this happens in the solar system, giving Earth the narrowest glimpse of the rings, it’s known as a ring plane crossing.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
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With this victory, Democrats maintain a narrow majority of 102-101 in the state House.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 2025
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Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Liberals' smallest lead was in a poll conducted by Innovative Research among 1,548 Canadian citizens, which showed the party with a lead of just 2 points, on 36 percent to the Conservatives' 34 percent—a lead within the poll's 3 percent margin of error.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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The penumbra also barely grazes South America, producing a small dent in the Sun at sunrise for parts of Suriname, French Guiana and Amada in Brazil.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Students were emboldened to make bigoted statements about immigrants, Muslims and other groups.—
Laura Wray-Lake,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
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The priest, Kent, and his deputy find themselves in Anadarko, Okla., where female Marshall Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter) brings out Kent's bigoted side.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some segments of the Democratic coalition would find Piker to be edgy, or crass, or even despicable.—
Andrew Marantz,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
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That’s a straightforward, even sympathetic premise with a crass edge to boot.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
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Gangs stop petty thievery in their own neighborhoods.—
Walter E Block,
Orange County Register,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Members of youth teams, provincial teams and staff reached the UK, US, Portugal, Italy and Albania.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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The limited role of Canada’s electricity in U.S. demand, combined with the lack of provincial unity, might explain why Ford ultimately backed down.—
Aldo Flores-Quiroga,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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