antiliberal
|an-ti-lib-er-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tɪˈlɪbərəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪˈlɪb(ə)rəl/
against liberalism
Etymology
'antiliberal' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (ultimately from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') attached to 'liberal' (from Latin 'liberalis').
'liberal' comes from Latin 'liberalis' (from 'liber' meaning 'free'); it passed into Old French and Middle English as 'liberal', and in Modern English the productive prefix 'anti-' was attached to create 'antiliberal'.
Initially a straightforward compound meaning 'against liberal(s/ism)', its usage has stayed near that sense but has sometimes taken on stronger connotations of hostility to democratic or civil liberties.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to liberalism or to liberal ideas, principles, policies, or institutions.
The senator took an antiliberal position on many issues, arguing against deregulation and expanded civil liberties.
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Adjective 2
characterized by hostility to individual freedoms or democratic/liberal norms (often implying authoritarian tendencies).
Observers warned that the government's antiliberal measures threatened freedom of the press.
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Last updated: 2025/09/02 18:30