illiberalism
noun
il·lib·er·al·ism
(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
plural illiberalisms
1
: opposition to or lack of liberalism and especially political liberalism (see liberalism sense 2)
Illiberalism is generally seen as a backlash against modern liberal and progressive ideas and policies, especially those meant to protect the rights and advance the aspirations of groups long pushed to the margins of American political life.—
Steven Hahn
Steven Hahn2
: an instance of illiberal behavior
… a fierce opponent of Communist tyranny who has never thought that the sins of our enemies excused our own injustices and illiberalisms.—Alan Ryan
Alan RyanExamples of illiberalism in a Sentence
They each accused the other of a form of illiberalism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Resorting to violence merely strengthens the forces of illiberalism and sense of disorder upon which Trumpism feeds.
—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.
—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Journalist Anne Applebaum has documented how elites accommodate themselves to illiberalism, finding advantage in proximity to power even as institutions decay.
—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
One of the abiding strengths of any genuinely liberal order—domestic or international—is that within it illiberalism can exist, and do damage, without posing an existential threat to it.
—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberalism
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Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.
—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Journalist Anne Applebaum has documented how elites accommodate themselves to illiberalism, finding advantage in proximity to power even as institutions decay.
—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
One of the abiding strengths of any genuinely liberal order—domestic or international—is that within it illiberalism can exist, and do damage, without posing an existential threat to it.
—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiberalism
Cite this Entry
“Illiberalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiberalism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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