English Reference

Word

liberalism

Phoneticslib·er·al·ism

US/ˈɫɪˌbɝəˌɫɪzəm/

UK/lˈɪbəɹəlˌɪzəm/

Definitions

01political philosophy

C1 · Politics

n. a political system that protects individual rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law.

n. A political doctrine that prioritises the autonomy of the individual, advocating for civil liberties, democratic governance, and social reform.

“The country's transition to liberalism led to more freedom for the press and fairer elections.”

“Modern liberalism often seeks to balance the protection of individual rights with the state's role in addressing social and economic inequalities.”

Academic

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general philosophy; countable when referring to specific historical movements.

Synonyms

progressivismdemocracy

02economic ideology

C1 · Economics

n. an economic theory that supports free markets and very little government control over business.

n. An economic theory supporting laissez-faire policies, private property rights, and the removal of trade barriers.

“The government adopted economic liberalism by reducing taxes and opening the borders to trade.”

“Critics of classical liberalism argue that unregulated markets can lead to monopolies and the exploitation of vulnerable workers.”

Academic · Technical

Teaching tip

In American English, 'liberalism' often refers to left-leaning social policies, whereas in Europe, it frequently refers to right-leaning economic policies.

Synonyms

free-market capitalismlaissez-faire

03international relations

C2 · Politics

n. a way of looking at world politics that focuses on countries working together through trade and laws.

n. A theory of international relations that emphasises the potential for global cooperation through international organisations and economic interdependence.

“Liberalism suggests that countries that trade with each other are less likely to go to war.”

“Within the study of international relations, liberalism stands in contrast to realism by suggesting that shared values can mitigate the risk of conflict.”

Academic · Technical

Synonyms

internationalismidealism

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“McConaughey is a man of faith, in God and “the universe”, whose conservative ways are at odds with Harrelson’s west-coast liberalism, but Harrelson’s environmental awareness and animal-rights principles are also articles of blind faith.”
The Guardian · 23 Sept 2026

Related words

Domains

EconomicsPolitics

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference