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- pronunciation:
- lI
b
rl
[or]
lI
brl
- parts of speech:
- adjective, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
freely giving; generous.
She made liberal contributions to various charities.He dished out liberal portions of the casserole.The bartender certainly put a liberal amount of gin in this martini.- synonyms:
- bounteous, bountiful, generous, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, unsparing
- antonyms:
- miserly, stingy
- similar words:
- benevolent, big, free, large, lavish, openhearted, profuse, unselfish, warm-hearted
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| definition 2: |
respectful of individual differences; tolerant.
The school hoped to establish a liberal environment where all students would feel respected.Her parents were more liberal than his and were comfortable to have a son-in-law of a different faith.- synonyms:
- broad-minded, tolerant
- antonyms:
- illiberal, narrow-minded
- similar words:
- broad, free, large, latitudinarian, libertarian, magnanimous, open, open-minded, receptive
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| definition 3: |
favoring progressive political change. (Cf. conservative.)
She is a liberal politician who hopes to bring about far-reaching changes in the prison system.He joined a liberal organization in the early sixties dedicated to abolishing segregation.- synonyms:
- progressive
- antonyms:
- reactionary
- similar words:
- libertarian, radical, reformist
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| definition 4: |
(cap.) of or relating to the U.S. or British political party favoring progressive political change and involvement of the government to bring about reforms. (Cf. Conservative.)
He is the Liberal Party candidate. |
| definition 5: |
relating to democratic forms of government rather than monarchies or aristocracies.
The new leader wished to establish a liberal form of government in a country that had never known political freedom.- antonyms:
- authoritarian
- similar words:
- democratic, libertarian, progressive, republican
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| definition 6: |
not adhering to the literal, exact, or orthodox; freely interpretive; not strict.
a liberal interpretationa liberal translation- antonyms:
- strict
- similar words:
- broad, loose, revisionist
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| related words: |
altruistic, ample, bighearted, charitable, eleemosynary, good, gracious, handsome, indulgent, lenient, munificent, round, soft, universal |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
one who adheres to a progressive political philosophy, which favors government promotion of social change and the primacy of individual liberty. (Cf. conservative.)
The liberals think that the government should do more to create jobs for the unemployed.
- synonyms:
- libertarian, progressive, reformer, reformist
- similar words:
- freethinker, latitudinarian, left-winger
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| definition 2: |
(cap.) a member of the U.S. or British Liberal Party; favoring progressive political change and involvement of the government to bring about reforms. (Cf. Conservative.)
The Liberals are the victors in this election.- similar words:
- libertarian, Progressive
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| contrasting words: |
conservative |
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| derivations: |
liberally (adv.), liberalness (n.) |
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