1
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
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of illiberal
These fissures are where Islamism leaps in to segregate, cohort, and indoctrinate with antidemocratic illiberal Islamist values forming the milieu ripe for radicalization, including terrorism and evolutionary jihad.
—
Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
By then, the majority of global political regimes could range from hybrid illiberal democracies to authoritarian states.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
But today, the most important political cleft is not the fading distinction between right and left, but the rising conflict between liberal and illiberal, democratic and autocratic.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
The rise of illiberal leaders in countries such as Brazil, India, Israel, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States has also created a more congenial setting for the spread of these narratives.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
By then, the majority of global political regimes could range from hybrid illiberal democracies to authoritarian states.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
But today, the most important political cleft is not the fading distinction between right and left, but the rising conflict between liberal and illiberal, democratic and autocratic.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
The rise of illiberal leaders in countries such as Brazil, India, Israel, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States has also created a more congenial setting for the spread of these narratives.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiberal
Adjective
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There also appeared to be a number of parochial changes aimed at placating some of the most vocal opponents of the legislation, including several for Alaska, home to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who has said the measure would hurt her state.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 June 2025
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Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
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Greene’s characterization of a ‘narrow audience’ echoes this.—
Matthew Carey Salyer,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Because at the time, Madonna was seen as this controversial and sort of vulgar character.—
Terry Gross,
NPR,
17 July 2025
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Users must also opt-in to see the vulgar version of Bad Rudi, rather than a more family-friendly version known simply as Rudi.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic and mix well.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Beyond providing an invitation for music-curious Austinites to come explore the clubs, the festival offers a lifeline to musicians and venues during the slow summer season, when small clubs that support emerging artists face some of their greatest challenges.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Doctor The rhetoric around Mamdani has been described as racist, bigoted and Islamophobic.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Only the Ku Klux Klan could enjoy such bigoted and nonsensical statements.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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California can lead the nation in fighting back against their crass & selfish strategy to undermine democracy.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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To celebrate the unearned good fortune of those privileges felt as crass in its way as praising the life-changing effects of a winning lottery ticket.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The Moon is opposite Mercury in your sign, and this can trigger petty squabbles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
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We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.—
Rob Day,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Bashir also encourages the use of solar power, helping clients navigate provincial subsidies and designing homes with electrical systems that can easily accommodate solar panel installations or solar roof tiles.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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One local Druze man told me on Tuesday that artillery was raining down on the provincial capital, and that kidnappings and gun battles were taking place across the area.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiberal. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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