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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an illiberal attitude toward sex an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent
Recent Examples on the Web This phenomenon is on show in other democracies dominated by illiberal factions, as political polarization only deepens the incentives to retain power and punish one’s opponents. 
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Pundits across the political spectrum have wondered about what American conservatives might take from the illiberal policies and practices of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Ana Marie Cox, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 For younger Taiwanese, their vision of China is the one Mr. Xi has wrought, an illiberal land bent on denying their ability to choose their own leaders. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 For younger Taiwanese, their vision of China is the one Xi has wrought, an illiberal land bent on denying their ability to choose their own leaders. Amy Chang Chien, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 No matter the geopolitical feebleness of Hungary in its own right, Orban and his allies see themselves as standard bearers for an illiberal future. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 In fact, his rejection of liberalism—and his larger efforts to use the government to enforce his own illiberal ideas about speech, trade, and freedom—are growing in prominence. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 July 2022 But like previous illiberal regimes in the US, the restrictions will not be limited to the primary targets of these restrictions. Nicole Hemmer, CNN, 23 July 2022 More likely, the GSI could be part of the ideological foundation of a new Sino-centric sphere, composed mainly of illiberal states and Chinese clients. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 13 July 2022 See More
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Pundits across the political spectrum have wondered about what American conservatives might take from the illiberal policies and practices of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Ana Marie Cox, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 For younger Taiwanese, their vision of China is the one Mr. Xi has wrought, an illiberal land bent on denying their ability to choose their own leaders. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 For younger Taiwanese, their vision of China is the one Xi has wrought, an illiberal land bent on denying their ability to choose their own leaders. Amy Chang Chien, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 No matter the geopolitical feebleness of Hungary in its own right, Orban and his allies see themselves as standard bearers for an illiberal future. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 In fact, his rejection of liberalism—and his larger efforts to use the government to enforce his own illiberal ideas about speech, trade, and freedom—are growing in prominence. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 July 2022 But like previous illiberal regimes in the US, the restrictions will not be limited to the primary targets of these restrictions. Nicole Hemmer, CNN, 23 July 2022 More likely, the GSI could be part of the ideological foundation of a new Sino-centric sphere, composed mainly of illiberal states and Chinese clients. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 13 July 2022 See More 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
illiberal
adjective
1
as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions an illiberal society that viewed any artistic depiction of the nude as inherently indecent Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- parochial
- small
- petty
- narrow
- insular
- sectarian
- little
- provincial
- stubborn
- narrow-minded
- bigoted
- small-minded
- wrongheaded
- rigid
- intolerant
- discriminatory
- reactionary
- picayune
- partisan
- prejudiced
- obstinate
- obdurate
- dogmatic
- biased
- opinionative
- Lilliputian
- inflexible
- ironbound
- stodgy
- hidebound
- limited
- opinionated
- unyielding
- discriminating
- dogmatical
- unsophisticated
- partial
- one-sided
- jaundiced
- straitlaced
- stuffy
- old-fashioned
- straightlaced
- hick
- set
- brassbound
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberal
- cosmopolitan
- tolerant
- receptive
- catholic
- open
- impartial
- unprejudiced
- broad-minded
- objective
- nonpartisan
- unbiased
- open-minded
- freethinking
2
as in bigoted
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints some of the more illiberal residents were opposed to having a hospice for AIDS patients in the neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- bigoted
- conservative
- prejudiced
- intolerant
- reactionary
- narrow-minded
- parochial
- small-minded
- provincial
- narrow
- insular
- hidebound
- partisan
- blinkered
- biased
- old-fashioned
- partial
- one-sided
- blindfolded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberal
- tolerant
- radical
- unprejudiced
- extreme
- progressive
- broad-minded
- open-minded
- impartial
- unbiased
- objective
3
as in vulgar
archaic lacking in refinement or good taste people who had been scorned as illiberal because they were poor Synonyms & Similar Words
- vulgar
- crass
- rude
- common
- crude
- coarse
- uncouth
- clumsy
- gross
- uncultured
- rough
- ill-bred
- lowbrow
- raffish
- uncultivated
- tasteless
- insensible
- unrefined
- rugged
- unpolished
- ungentlemanly
- low
- loutish
- boorish
- thoughtless
- roughneck
- barbarous
- churlish
- oafish
- clownish
- inconsiderate
- uncivilized
- unsophisticated
- incult
- barbaric
- lowbred
- cloddish
- rustic
- rough-hewn
- indelicate
- lubberly
- insensitive
- lumpish
- provincial
- inelegant
- graceless
- unmannerly
- countrified
- mannerless
- unmannered
- tacky
- rustical
- countryfied
- animallike
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- civilized
- aristocratic
- genteel
- smooth
- cultured
- patrician
- tasteful
- elegant
- polished
- cultivated
- refined
- courtly
- graceful
- well-bred
- ultrarefined
- restrained
- thoughtful
- sensitive
- gracious
- sophisticated
- urbane
- considerate
- citified