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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
The Supreme Court race will decide the balance of power in the state’s judicial system, where liberals hold a 4 to 3 majority. Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Mar. 2025 To uphold the best of this European tradition now will require more from liberals than just a defense of the old continent against the new. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • Alon-Lee Green, the founding co-director of Standing Together, a progressive grassroots movement, told CNN that young people aren’t at fault for the extremist attitudes that are dividing wider Israeli society.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • California voters further reversed progressive policies by passing Proposition 36, which enhances penalties for theft and drug offenses.
    Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Of all the airlines, Alaska and Hawaiian offer the most generous commitments.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Yeah, well, thank you for having me on and thank you for that really generous introduction.
    Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 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.
    Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
  • By structuring a sale through a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), business owners can reduce taxes, generate a lifetime income stream and ultimately leave a charitable legacy—while also ensuring their heirs receive an equivalent inheritance through life insurance.
    Jamie Farmer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The curved, low-profile silhouette creates a modern spin on the otherwise classic design, while the chair’s high-density foam filling offers superior support.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Most of the modern canal network originally dates to pre-Hispanic times, more than 1400 years ago.
    Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The good news is that the mechanicals are robust, and those parts are plentiful, so apart from rust and the challenge of obtaining trim and pieces unique to the model (serious enthusiasts may want to buy a second Scorpion to cannibalize), these are really delightful cars.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Replacements are plentiful but have done little to stunt the term’s rise.
    Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But land reform is so fundamental to how the current government took power that no citizen may portray it as anything other than a benevolent campaign that brought fairness and prosperity to China’s long-suffering farmers.
    Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Analyzing the legendary unicorn tapestries hanging at the Met Cloisters in New York (augmented here by a gory new panel that depicts the suddenly fearsome animals disemboweling and impaling their aggressors), Ridley concludes that unicorns aren’t nearly as benevolent as most people think.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Last season, the Mets permitted Winker just four plate appearances against lefties.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Righties were 5-for-15 in the game off Hart and lefties were 0-for-3. Shortstop Dansby Swanson (1-for-1, RBI) is the only Cub with big-league history with Hart.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Europe is in the midst of its own radical transformation, singed and stunned by Trump's tariffs, constant insults, undermining NATO and siding with Russia over Ukraine.
    Axios, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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