liberalism

[ lib-er-uh-liz-uhm, lib-ruh- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
2. a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
4. a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities.

liberalism

/ ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm; ˈlɪbrə- /

noun

1. liberal opinions, practices, or politics
2. a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority

liberalism

1. In the twentieth century, a viewpoint or ideology associated with free political institutions and religious toleration, as well as support for a strong role of government in regulating capitalism and constructing the welfare state (see also welfare state ).

Derived Forms

• ˈliberalist, nounadjective
• ˌliberalˈistic, adjective

Other Word Forms

• liber·al·ist noun adjective
• liber·al·istic adjective
• anti·liber·al·ism noun
• anti·liber·al·ist noun adjective
• anti·liber·al·istic adjective
• non·liber·al·ism noun
• semi·liber·al·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberalism¹

First recorded in 1810–20; liberal + -ism

Example Sentences

The Golden State’s path to parity has not been serendipity or an inevitable result of California liberalism.

From Los Angeles Times

It was about romanticizing vaccine refusal as courageous resistance against decadent, weak liberalism, which is about as fascist a framing as one can find.

From Salon

Their connection to power is thanks to the so-called tech right, a reactionary movement against liberalism led by some of the most powerful people in Silicon Valley.

From BBC

The move contrasts with the media policies of authorities in Russia, China and Iran, who have poured funding into their state broadcasters to counter the impact of Western liberalism around the world.

From BBC

This departure from post-Berlin Wall universalist liberalism has been a long time in the making, and Vance’s incisive rebuke of European elites powerfully drove home the point.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• left-winger
• leftist
• liberal
• progressive
• radical