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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 liberal economic reforms spearheaded by President Javier Milei have sent ripples through global financial markets, attracting both optimism and skepticism. Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 The administration has accused USAID’s programs of being wasteful and promoting a liberal agenda. Ellen Knickmayer and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Its rise is part of a Europe-wide trend alarming liberals and centrists, whereby once-fringe nationalist parties are making striding gains across the continent at the expense of the political establishment. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 Some Trump defenders claim the posts are harmless trolling, a reference flown over liberals’ heads. Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberal
Adjective
  • In a heavily progressive city that voted 3-to-1 against President Donald Trump in November, there has been extensive disappointment over his initiatives since taking office.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This was especially true as business interests, working to undermine progressive New Deal labor policies such as a federal minimum wage and unemployment insurance, openly equated support for these policies with Communism.
    Rebecca Brenner Graham / Made by History, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With the generous windfall, consider becoming your own boss.
    ESSENCE Lifestyle, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025
  • At 80, Gaines has eyes that are clear and discerning, his generous and direct demeanor giving away his decades-long experience as an educator.
    Meka Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Only his charitable contributions were signed and dated, said Lanham, his business partner.
    Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond Costs: Time and Responsiveness ​The modern consumer, influenced by the likes of Amazon, values not just price, but convenience and time.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Her brand offers nearly 1,000 items that blend seamlessly with modern, country farmhouse, coastal, or traditional home aesthetics.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Outdoor activities are plentiful, from the numerous hiking trails to the Contoocook River, which offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • For example, cheap labor and service means women in major cities can outsource domestic tasks to workers who migrate into the cities, supplementing that free and plentiful childcare.
    Rocio Wu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The benevolent master of ceremonies left a care kit beneath each audience member's seat for the nearly four-hour show.
    Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • In Thai Buddhist lore, these trees, thousands of which spike Koh Samui, are home to benevolent spirits, says political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Japan’s Kyoto University.
    Ronan O'Connell, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Chicago White Sox got a glimpse of the future Wednesday as Schultz and fellow lefty Hagen Smith made their Cactus League debuts in the 3-1 loss at Camelback Ranch.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Loading your audio article MESA, Ariz. — At the end of last year’s postseason, Robbie Ray sent a text message to Tarik Skubal — one lefty to another. Skubal the Detroit Tigers’ ace, had just won the 2024 American League Cy Young Award, the changeup being one of his foundational pitches.
    Justice delos Santos, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After her untimely death, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone, in an Oscar-winning performance) is brought back to life through a radical scientific experiment conducted by the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • That kind of creative thinking can help with any radical change in life, whether finding a different job or moving to a new country.
    Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, NPR, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberal. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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