lib·er·al
ˈli-b(ə-)rəl 
1
a
: inclined to be open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional : broad-minded, tolerant
My father is more liberal and loving than twenty fathers combined.—
Karan Mahajan
Karan MahajanEuropeans generally have more liberal attitudes toward sex than Americans.—Scott Stossel
Scott Stossel
b
: of, relating to, or favoring a philosophy of liberalism (see liberalism sense 1), especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a) and often also social liberalism
a liberal newspaper columnist
a liberal Democrat in a family of conservative Republicans
pushing for liberal reforms
The discussion on the bench did not break down along the usual ideological lines, but the court's three liberal justices voiced the strongest concerns about ensuring citizens have access to public officials and critical community information online.—Ann E. Marimow
Ann E. MarimowIn liberal states, policymakers are forging ahead with legislation to protect reproductive data online.—Cat Zakrzewski
Cat ZakrzewskiConversely, courts in California have often been viewed as a receptive field of battle for liberal organizations … on matters including immigration, the environment, and voting rights.—Abbie VanSickle
Abbie VanSickleDivisions have erupted, along conservative and liberal lines, over how race, history and gender are taught, and how LGBTQ students and issues are treated in the schools.—Hannah Kirby
Hannah Kirby
c
Liberal
: of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a)
the Liberal Party of Canada
the Liberal Party of New York
2
: relating to economic liberalism (see liberalism sense 2d)
In truth, investment is consistent with both a conservative and a liberal economic philosophy, as American leaders dating to Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson have recognized.—David Leonhardt
David LeonhardtThey were tethered to classically liberal dogmas on the primacy of the market, as well as to an international order shaped by American financial and military preeminence.—Ishaan Tharoor
Ishaan Tharoor3
a
: marked by generosity : openhanded
a liberal supporter of the museum
4
: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
a degree in liberal studies
Classical education, like liberal education, begins from a perspective of respect, not of politics.—Adam M. Carrington
Adam M. Carrington5
a
: not strict or exact : loose
… the crews generally have a fairly liberal interpretation of regulations, and once safely airborne, allow the passengers to sprawl about the cabin however they desire …—Jay A. Stout
Jay A. StoutHe called himself Mr. Richmouth (a liberal translation of Riccabocca).—Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Edward Bulwer-LyttonLouisiana's alligator hunting regs are fairly liberal, except that no nighttime hunting is allowed.—Will Brantley
Will Brantley
b
obsolete
: without the required or expected restraint
… I will speak as liberal as the north; / Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
liberalness
noun
plural liberals
: a person who is liberal (see liberal entry 1): such as
a
: an adherent or advocate of liberalism and especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a)
… the causes liberals have championed—racial and gender equality, workers' rights, equal opportunity, and so on …—David McCabe
David McCabeKing's [Martin Luther King, Jr.'s] Christianity presents a challenge to liberals, who are often uncomfortable with religion in the public square, as well as to conservatives, who are more likely to embrace religion in politics but don't align themselves with the implications of many of King's core beliefs.—Jonathan Eig
Jonathan EigDuring his eight years in the Ohio House, Ramos was an outspoken liberal who, among other things, pushed for the abolition of the state's death penalty, legalized medical marijuana, making college more affordable, and state pension reform.—Jeremy Pelzer
Jeremy PelzerBut criminal justice reform may prove more difficult to rally around, pitting conservative law-and-order advocates against social- and racial-justice liberals.—Laurent Belsie
see also classical liberal
Laurent Belsie
b
Liberal plural Liberals
: a member or supporter of a Liberal (see liberal entry 1 sense 1c) political party
c
: someone who is open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional
Synonyms
Examples of liberal in a Sentence
Adjective
On most issues he was thought of as a generally liberal figure, but on gun control he was live-free-or-die National Rifle Association man.
—Jonathan Raban, Harper's, Aug. 1993
Many fishermen keep their holes from freezing over with liberal injections of antifreeze.
—Time, 28 Feb. 1974
Alexandra looked at him mournfully. "I try to be more liberal about such things than I used to be. I try to realize that we are not all made alike … "
—Willa Cather, O Pioneers!, 1913
This cost him considerable, for Dick was rather fastidious about his cigars, and wouldn't smoke the cheapest. Besides, having a liberal nature, he was generally ready to treat his companions.
—Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868
She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican.
He made a very liberal donation to the museum.
Noun
a policy that is supported both by liberals and conservatives in Congress
Jonathan Raban, Harper's, Aug. 1993
Many fishermen keep their holes from freezing over with liberal injections of antifreeze.
—Time, 28 Feb. 1974
Alexandra looked at him mournfully. "I try to be more liberal about such things than I used to be. I try to realize that we are not all made alike … "
—Willa Cather, O Pioneers!, 1913
This cost him considerable, for Dick was rather fastidious about his cigars, and wouldn't smoke the cheapest. Besides, having a liberal nature, he was generally ready to treat his companions.
—Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868
She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican.
He made a very liberal donation to the museum.
Noun
a policy that is supported both by liberals and conservatives in Congress
Recent Examples on the Web
John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Several contenders may connect with a spectrum of liberal Oscar voters.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
Related Articles Feds probe racist ‘cotton-picking’ texts sent to Black Americans
Stephens: Do liberals lack the introspection to see what went wrong?
—Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for liberal 
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Adjective
Allred, a three-term congressman from Dallas, is also well-financed but running a lower-key and more centrist race than the freewheeling campaign of the more outwardly liberal O'Rourke.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Several contenders may connect with a spectrum of liberal Oscar voters.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
In the face of this, the impulse from liberals to replicate the juice by developing their own Rogan equivalent is understandable but ultimately myopic.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
Related Articles Feds probe racist ‘cotton-picking’ texts sent to Black Americans
Stephens: Do liberals lack the introspection to see what went wrong?
—Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for liberal
Articles Related to liberal
Dictionary Entries Near liberal
Cite this Entry
“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liberal
1 of 2 adjective
lib·er·al
ˈlib(-ə)-rəl
1
: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
a liberal education
2
a
: not stingy : generous
a liberal giver
b
: more than enough
a liberal allowance
3
: not strict
especially
: not bound by traditional forms or beliefs
4
: of or relating to liberalism : not conservative
liberal
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is liberal especially in politics
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