ILLIBERAL Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

illiberal

adjective

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl

Definition of illiberal

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

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

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

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 illiberal This election could reshape not just Hungary but signal a broader European rejection of the illiberal, nationalist movements Orbán inspired among the global far-right. — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Scholars of comparative authoritarianism have long identified the selective application of harsh criminal penalties as a hallmark of illiberal governance. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026 As Orbán over the past decade took a forceful stance against migrants and refugees and proclaimed himself Europe's champion of illiberal Christian democracy, Budapest became a magnet for American conservatives. — Catherine Belton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026 The remoteness of the imperial government at Vienna and an increasingly illiberal regime soon aroused discontent in Austria’s Italian province. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illiberal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal

Adjective

In some cases, opposition might amount to parochial not in my backyard — or NIMBY — concerns.

— Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of parochial

Adjective

Burner accounts from China and Russia And those partnership ads are channeled through a narrow group of creators, ORL says.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Just like their simulated counterparts, the worms consistently moved through the narrower channels faster than the wider ones.

— K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
But after home brewers were able to show the appeal of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts and citrusy wheat ales, that eventually led to a boom in small breweries.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

In its bleakest moments, the novel suggests that the ordeal of being gay in a venomously bigoted society negates its bounty.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The latter accidentally does happen, which leads to power struggles between the bigoted jerk and our trio of heroines.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bigoted

Adjective

That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a crass and charismatic oil executive who’s called upon to help save the world after his company nearly destroys it.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 July 2026

Definition of crass

Adjective

Trump will depart sooner or later, the banners will be torn down and much of his petty talk will be and should be forgotten.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The players air their grievances, which are essentially a pile of petty conflicts and resentments that, as Alice warned, can be traced back to the team fracturing into cliques.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

The project’s latest provincial award now adds further recognition as engineers continue to expand the practical limits of long-span concrete bridge construction.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
The Los Angeles Times reported that the provincial leaders agreed.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of provincial

Browse Nearby Words

ill-humored

illiberal

illiberalism

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Style

“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of illiberal

adjective

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