Word: illiberality (noun)

Associations

"Illiberality" means a lack of generosity or open-mindedness. It often refers to being narrow-minded, strict, or not willing to accept different ideas or opinions.

• When someone refuses to listen to others' views, you can say they show illiberality.
• If a government limits freedom of speech, this can be called illiberality.
• When a person is very stingy or not generous, illiberality can describe their behavior.

A well-known synonym is "narrow-mindedness." The difference is that "illiberality" can also mean being strict or harsh, not only about ideas but also about generosity.

Substitution

Instead of "illiberality," you can use:

• narrow-mindedness — focuses more on unwillingness to accept different ideas.
• intolerance — emphasizes not accepting others' beliefs or behaviors.
• stinginess — if you mean lack of generosity. Each word changes the focus slightly.

Deconstruction

"Illiberality" comes from:

• prefix "il-" meaning "not" or "opposite of."
• root "liberal" meaning "open-minded" or "generous."
• suffix "-ity" which turns an adjective into a noun, meaning "the state or quality of." So, "illiberality" means "the state of not being liberal," or not open and generous.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you or someone else showed illiberality? What happened?
• How does illiberality affect relationships or society?
• Can illiberality ever be good or necessary? Why or why not?