If someone is libertarian or has libertarian attitudes, they believe in or support the idea that people should be free to think and behave in the way that they want.
[formal]
...the libertarian argument that people should be allowed to choose.
The town's political climate was libertarian.
Synonyms: liberal, radical, progressive, humanitarian More Synonyms of libertarian
A libertarian is someone who with libertarian views.
Libertarians argue that nothing should be censored.
More Synonyms of libertarian
libertarian in British English
(ˌlɪbəˈtɛərɪən)
noun
1.
a believer in freedom of thought, expression, etc
2. philosophy
a believer in the doctrine of free will
Compare determinism
adjective
3.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a libertarian
Derived forms
libertarianism (ˌliberˈtarianism)
noun
Word origin
C18: from liberty
libertarian in American English
(ˌlɪbərˈtɛriən)
noun
1.
a person who believes in the doctrine of the freedom of the will
2.
a person who believes in full individual freedom of thought, expression, and action
adjective
3.
of or upholding either of these principles
Derived forms
libertarianism (ˌliberˈtarianˌism)
noun
Word origin
liberty + -arian
Examples of 'libertarian' in a sentence
libertarian
How much easier it must be in moral matters to be a libertarian Conservative.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The libertarian argument against such intervention is that people should be free to waste their money as they wish.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have sympathy for libertarian views.
Christianity Today (2000)
He is a libertarian with a view that the smaller government is, the better.
The Sun (2013)
The party has also played the civil libertarian card, calling for the surveillance society to be curtailed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is, of course, a good libertarian argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Soon immersed in his world of the theatre, opera and politics, she also absorbed his libertarian views.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Nor are the party's green or civil libertarian policies an alternative: they appeal mainly to the converted.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
libertarian
British English: libertarian ADJECTIVE
If someone is libertarian or has libertarian attitudes, they believe in or support the idea that people should be free to think and behave in the way that they want.
...the libertarian argument that people should be allowed to choose.
American English: libertarian
Brazilian Portuguese: libertário
Chinese: 自由论者
European Spanish: libertario
French: libertaire
German: libertär
Italian: libertario
Japanese: 自由主義の
Korean: 자유론자
European Portuguese: libertário
Latin American Spanish: libertario
(adjective)
Definition
believing in freedom of thought and action
The town's political climate was libertarian.
Synonyms
liberal
a liberal democracy with a multiparty political system
radical
political tension between radical and conservative politicians
progressive
The children go to a progressive school.
humanitarian
reformist
permissive
Her parents are permissive and set few clear boundaries.
humanistic
broad-minded
You'll find me more broad-minded than you think.
latitudinarian
(noun)
Definition
a person who believes in freedom of thought and action
Libertarians argue that nothing should be censored.
Synonyms
liberal
radical
a former left-wing radical who was involved with the civil rights movement
moderate
humanitarian
reformist
Additional synonyms
in the sense of broad-minded
Definition
tolerant of opposing viewpoints
You'll find me more broad-minded than you think.
Synonyms
tolerant,
open-minded,
flexible,
liberal,
catholic,
cosmopolitan,
responsive,
indulgent,
permissive,
unbiased,
dispassionate,
free-thinking,
unprejudiced,
undogmatic,
unbigoted
in the sense of permissive
Definition
tolerant or lenient, esp. in sexual matters
Her parents are permissive and set few clear boundaries.
Synonyms
tolerant,
liberal,
open-minded,
indulgent,
easy-going,
free,
lax,
lenient,
forbearing,
acquiescent,
latitudinarian,
easy-oasy (slang)
in the sense of progressive
Definition
favouring political or social reform
The children go to a progressive school.
Synonyms
enlightened,
liberal,
modern,
advanced,
radical,
enterprising,
go-ahead,
revolutionary,
dynamic,
avant-garde,
reformist,
up-and-coming,
forward-looking
Nearby words of
libertarian
liberate
liberation
liberator
libertarian
libertine
liberty
libidinous
Synonyms of 'libertarian'
libertarian
Explore 'libertarian' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of radical
Definition
favouring fundamental change in political or social conditions
political tension between radical and conservative politicians
Synonyms
revolutionary,
reforming,
extreme,
militant,
progressive,
left-wing,
extremist,
reformist,
fanatical,
swivel-eyed (slang)
in the sense of radical
Definition
a person who favours fundamental change in existing institutions or in political, social, or economic conditions
a former left-wing radical who was involved with the civil rights movement