ILLIBERAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does illiberal mean? 

• ILLIBERAL (adjective)
  The adjective ILLIBERAL has 1 sense:

1. narrow-minded about cherished opinions

  Familiarity information: ILLIBERAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ILLIBERAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Narrow-minded about cherished opinions

Synonyms:

illiberal; intolerant

Similar:

narrow; narrow-minded (lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view)

Derivation:

illiberality (a disposition not to be liberal (generous) with money)

 Context examples 

Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and pleasures as myself.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and if their construction could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed all its ingenuity.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Those who can barely live, and who live perforce in a very small, and generally very inferior, society, may well be illiberal and cross.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

In such a case, a plain and open avowal of his difficulties would have been more to his honour I think, as well as more consistent with his general character;—but I will not raise objections against any one's conduct on so illiberal a foundation, as a difference in judgment from myself, or a deviation from what I may think right and consistent.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)