illiberal
adjective
il·lib·er·al
(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl 
: not liberal: such as
a
: not broad-minded : bigoted
illiberal thinking
b
: opposed to liberalism
illiberal tendencies
c
: not requiring the background of a liberal arts education
illiberal occupations
d
archaic
: not generous : stingy
e
archaic
(1)
: lacking a liberal education
(2)
: lacking culture and refinement
Synonyms
Examples of illiberal in a Sentence
an illiberal attitude toward sex
an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent
Recent Examples on the Web
An illiberal Israel would also become a pariah state.
—
Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
In France, Hungary, and Italy, a rising illiberal Right is promoting protectionism and greater state intervention in the economy.
—Macy Scheck, National Review, 26 June 2024
But there are longer-term trends of illiberal legislative initiatives, limitations on civil society organizations and the erosion of underlying democratic values that have been more significant.
—Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch, The Conversation, 24 July 2024
The Republicans, in thrall to former and perhaps future president Donald Trump, have embraced his illiberal nationalism, his protectionist zeal and his anti-migrant nativism.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for illiberal 
Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
In France, Hungary, and Italy, a rising illiberal Right is promoting protectionism and greater state intervention in the economy.
—Macy Scheck, National Review, 26 June 2024
But there are longer-term trends of illiberal legislative initiatives, limitations on civil society organizations and the erosion of underlying democratic values that have been more significant.
—Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch, The Conversation, 24 July 2024
The Republicans, in thrall to former and perhaps future president Donald Trump, have embraced his illiberal nationalism, his protectionist zeal and his anti-migrant nativism.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for illiberal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illiberal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near illiberal
Cite this Entry
“Illiberal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiberal. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
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