Need another word for Liberal? Use these synonyms of Liberal from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
progressive
open-minded
tolerant
permissive
lenient
free-thinking
enlightened
broad-minded
unprejudiced
impartial
unbiased
neutral
flexible
adaptable
moderate
reasonable
rational
just
fair
humane
generous
charitable
altruistic
magnanimous
benevolent
philanthropic
democratic
libertarian
radical
reformist
revolutionary
humanistic
egalitarian
emancipated
Meaning of Liberal
The primary meaning of the word "Liberal" is open to new ideas and willing to change.
Definitions
- Having or showing a willingness to respect and accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own
- Relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that advocates individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise
- Giving freely, generous, open-handed
- Not strict or severe, lenient
Etymology of Liberal
The word "Liberal" originates from the Latin word "liberalis", meaning "of or pertaining to freedom" or "noble, generous", which is derived from "liber", meaning "free"
Historically, the term "Liberal" was first used in the 14th century to describe something related to the liberal arts, and later in the 17th and 18th centuries, it took on a political connotation, emphasizing individual rights and freedoms
Example Uses
- The liberal government implemented policies to promote social justice and equality
- She has very liberal views on marriage and relationships
- The company has a liberal approach to employee benefits and work-life balance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
conservative
reactionary
traditional
orthodox
rigid
inflexible
strict
severe
authoritarian
repressive
oppressive
intolerant
prejudiced
biased
narrow-minded
bigoted
dogmatic
fundamentalist
extremist
radical
fanatical
tyrannical