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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
The great Peruvian novelist and classical liberal Mario Vargas Llosa passed away on April 13 in Lima, Peru. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Apr. 2025 The 88-year-old pontiff, largely viewed as more liberal than his predecessors, died Monday morning. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
None of the nine justices dissented, although the court’s three liberals said the government’s appeal should have been denied entirely. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The candidate, Susan Crawford, won a decisive victory to keep liberals in control of the battleground state’s top court. Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 8 Apr. 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
  • At the end of every season, Jim had given generous gifts to the cast and crew.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The generous battery keeps podcasts alive for a full travel day, and a ten‑minute quick top‑up grants four extra hours before boarding.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 22 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
  • To date, the company has invested roughly $230 million in global charitable programs and partnerships that impact the lives of millions of women, says Lucy Gildea, Mary Kay’s chief brand and scientific officer.
    Haniya Rae, Forbes.com, 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
  • This leaves the Mets to use their money somewhere else in free agency next winter, and the options should be plentiful.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • Living in Mexico is a radical act of joy, freedom, and reclamation.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But against the inertia of an institution built to resist change, even symbolic gestures can seem radical.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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