illiberal

[ ih-lib-er-uhl, ih-lib-ruhl ]

adjective

1. narrowminded; bigoted.

   Synonyms: small-minded, hidebound, intolerant, biased

2. Archaic.
   1. not generous in giving; miserly; stingy.
   2. Chiefly Literary. without culture or refinement; unscholarly; vulgar.

illiberal

/ ɪˈlɪbərəl /

adjective

1. narrow-minded; prejudiced; bigoted; intolerant
2. not generous; mean
3. lacking in culture or refinement

Derived Forms

• ilˌliberˈality, noun
• ilˈliberally, adverb

Other Words From

• il·liber·ali·ty il·liber·al·ness il·liber·al·ism noun
• il·liber·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of illiberal¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin illīberālis “ignoble, mean”; il- ², liberal

Example Sentences

Instead, respect for facts also led him often to conservative, even illiberal, opinions.

From Time

If they are too hostile, then they might find themselves villainized and restricted, as in other illiberal democracies.

From Time

Peter Marki-Zay, the man who challenged Orbán in national elections on April 3 on behalf of a united opposition, warned of worsening isolation under Orban’s “illiberal” model and likened him to a “traitor” putting Hungarians at risk.

From Washington Blade

The deeper India drifts into the abyss of an illiberal future, the more it looks to its past to justify its regression.

From Time

In fields where standards are yet to be established, like internet governance, Beijing works with Moscow and other illiberal nations to push standards that align with their interests.

From Time

Which was the right thing to be, after all, because communism is as illiberal as fascism.

From The Daily Beast

The refugees and civilian leaders believe the illiberal rhetoric from their armed allies reflect fundraising, not ideology.

From The Daily Beast

Prohibition (aka, the “war on drugs”) is an illiberal failure.

From The Daily Beast

At times it can lead people into some very illiberal little corners.

From The Daily Beast

These days, instead, we witness elections followed by majoritarian mob rule—what Fareed Zakaria has called “illiberal democracy.”

From The Daily Beast

A certain sum of money,—by no means illiberal as a present,—he had already extracted from the old man.

From Project Gutenberg

Later in life he visited Cordova, already in its decline through the illiberal government of the Almoravid dynasty.

From Project Gutenberg

He is cold, selfish and illiberal in his views, possessed of but little talent, and a physiognomy innocent of expression.

From Project Gutenberg

I said that it was highly illiberal to make personal attacks on Mr. Bentham before a friend who held him in high estimation.

From Project Gutenberg

Such were the positive orders of that illiberal and corrupt minister,—Mr. Henry Dundas.

From Project Gutenberg