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

illiberality

(ˌ)i(l)-ˌli-bə-ˈra-lə-tē 

noun

illiberally

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-lē 

adverb

illiberalness

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• insular
• Lilliputian
• little
• narrow
• narrow-minded
• parochial
• petty
• picayune
• provincial
• sectarian
• small
• small-minded

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

The Biden administration should be held politically accountable for its pervasive and illiberal campaign to silence the speech of its domestic enemies. —The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2024

And, because Taiwan is also the only functioning liberal democracy in the Chinese-speaking world (Singapore is an illiberal democracy), crushing Taiwan’s system of government would be a huge blow to democrats, greater even than the crackdown in Hong Kong. —Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024

That doesn’t mean condoning illiberal actions to achieve just ends or cynically invoking progressive ideals to justify military adventurism. —Jonathan B. Petkun, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

The same is the case across Europe, as right-wing strongman figures and illiberal parties — many of them xenophobic — gain ground in places as varied as Germany and Portugal. —Amy King & Brian J Griffith / Made By History, TIME, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin illiberalis ignoble, stingy, from Latin in- + liberalis liberal

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above