illiberalise
Definition
Verb (transitive): To make something illiberal; to cause something to become narrow-minded, intolerant, or ungenerous in character.
Usage Examples
- (To make the media less free and more restrictive.)
- (To make someone’s thinking more narrow and intolerant.)
- (To make trade less open and more restrictive.)
Advanced Usage
- "to illiberalise a society": to systematically reduce tolerance, openness, or generosity within a community.
- The regime’s actions gradually illiberalised the society, fostering suspicion and conformity. (The society became less free and tolerant over time.)
Variants and Related Words
- Illiberal (adj): not liberal; narrow-minded, intolerant, or ungenerous.
- His illiberal views on immigration angered many. (His opinions were restrictive and intolerant.)
- Illiberalisation (n): the process of making something illiberal.
- The illiberalisation of the legal system led to widespread injustice. (The system became less fair and free.)
- Illiberality (n): the quality of being illiberal.
- The illiberality of the new rules was criticized by human rights groups. (The narrow-mindedness of the rules was condemned.)
Synonyms
- Restrict: to limit or control something.
- Narrow: to make something less broad or open.
- Curb: to restrain or hold back.
- Constrict: to make something tighter or more confined.
Antonyms
- Liberalise: to make something more open, tolerant, or free.
- Broaden: to make something wider in scope or outlook.
- Free up: to remove restrictions.
Phrasal Verbs
- Clamp down on: to take severe measures to restrict or suppress something.
- The authorities clamped down on dissent, effectively trying to illiberalise public debate. (They restricted and controlled discussion.)
Related Idioms
- To put a straitjacket on: to impose severe restrictions that limit freedom.
- The new laws put a straitjacket on innovation, illiberalising the tech industry. (The laws restricted creativity and growth.)